tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82292397778111585392024-03-13T00:07:02.735-07:00Dissident RepublicansDissident Republicans will keep the public updated on the activity and membership of the various dissident republican groups.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-31377382599759001132023-04-14T00:05:00.001-07:002023-04-14T00:05:11.340-07:00Omagh Bomb 25 Anniversary<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Omagh Bomb 25th </span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Anniversary</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b>Submission</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b>To</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b>Public Inquiry Omagh Bomb 15 August, 1998</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>From</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Vincent McKenna BSSc PGDipSSc MSc Certified </b><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Digital Marketing Professional</b></span></div><div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I, Vincent McKenna, Certified Digital Marketing Professional, being 18 years and upward make Oath and say as follows:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Personal Political Background</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">This submission and factual history has been prepared by Vincent McKenna BSSc PGDipSSc MSc. Certified Digital Marketing Professional.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Ku70NdtfQzn2dC_7AKO274XOiYXll4rGK5EoDR48zeY334Hom8m4nJg_eR07NAz5FmzS6yB50fQCHK2INvC2b25MvaRY9e3lHSLIbsJFg35GAlPDbUVDznHm4Rc8AogdT5Imc6MPd--He1Yu_-2w9QYYpoyA0L7omslmu8yaahrs0VeiYEpMQ/s3648/DSCF0243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Ku70NdtfQzn2dC_7AKO274XOiYXll4rGK5EoDR48zeY334Hom8m4nJg_eR07NAz5FmzS6yB50fQCHK2INvC2b25MvaRY9e3lHSLIbsJFg35GAlPDbUVDznHm4Rc8AogdT5Imc6MPd--He1Yu_-2w9QYYpoyA0L7omslmu8yaahrs0VeiYEpMQ/s320/DSCF0243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My Paternal family history can be traced directly to McKenna Clan Chieftain, Patrick McKenna, who sat at The Hill Of Tara in County Meath in the seventeenth century. Patrick's son Niall McKenna would in 1641 slaughter over 2,000 Protestants in the Northern counties. Plans by the British to retaliate for this slaughter was delayed by the English Civil War, however, Oliver Cromwell administered that retaliation in 1648.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My Great Aunt Kathleen McKenna, was in 1921, Private Secretary to Sinn Fein Leaders Arthur Griffith and IRA Leader, Michael Collins. Kathleen died in 1988, and I was able to speak with Kathleen on her return to Ireland and before her death. My loyalty has been to The Irish Republic created by my Great Aunt Kathleen. Kathleen was non-sectarian and viewed Provisional IRA/Sinn Fein as sectarian bigots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF5z73H7MrHuCT55HvG8ySZ5Qs9qGSLFOETvprTypf4fSQr_NBryEf1aGIhOZ4fder-lAS_m6UPkme85zY6NE6rPSlHh08xJ6gwxqMwFZoM6zr7RJyG9VprE9AXMP_PtnE0NFHI7hpSIMGB0E3dgXWkV4grO1huM3uDSfvFuFX-_NXdWAMjbmew/s1139/kathleenmckenna1921ArthurGriffith-small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF5z73H7MrHuCT55HvG8ySZ5Qs9qGSLFOETvprTypf4fSQr_NBryEf1aGIhOZ4fder-lAS_m6UPkme85zY6NE6rPSlHh08xJ6gwxqMwFZoM6zr7RJyG9VprE9AXMP_PtnE0NFHI7hpSIMGB0E3dgXWkV4grO1huM3uDSfvFuFX-_NXdWAMjbmew/s320/kathleenmckenna1921ArthurGriffith-small.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kathleen McKenna travelling to London with Sinn Fein Leader, Arthur Griffith to sign the Treaty.</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Between 1982-84, I was introduced to and meet with on a number of occasions, Sean McBride SC who had been Chief of Staff IRA, 1936-37. I had been introduced to Sean McBride SC at The four Courts by Paul Callan SC who was representing me in an extradition case. Sean McBride SC had a domestic and international political reputation and would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sean McBride SC who had been anti-Treaty in 1921, was of the same mind as my Aunt Kathleen McKenna in the 1980s, Provisional IRA/Sinn Fein were sectarian bigots.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I was sworn into The Provisional IRA in 1980 when I was 16-years-old by my cousin, Kevin McKenna (PIRA Chief of Staff, 1983-1997). I would be Kevin McKenna's eyes and ears within Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA in Monaghan Town. Kevin McKenna lived in Smithborough, County Monaghan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As members of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA <b>talked-out-of-shop</b> to me they would not have known how close I was to Kevin McKenna.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X2YhQmWSGqBezsNkXQX66_U7-mpsRxtDktb5QjOtECfs4QNUgX206hr2cdNJguFMklHkR4Lp-HlZCohb1HzCTBSzwo7fvE-RlsngwCHF0k3VGjmqkRxfYEIXkRsFr1cSR1HXCUch_d_rzFTYOgn_UGo8pCyzdMZ0c2gEW8Km58LdMzLkrjUBZg/s680/%23JohnHume1994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X2YhQmWSGqBezsNkXQX66_U7-mpsRxtDktb5QjOtECfs4QNUgX206hr2cdNJguFMklHkR4Lp-HlZCohb1HzCTBSzwo7fvE-RlsngwCHF0k3VGjmqkRxfYEIXkRsFr1cSR1HXCUch_d_rzFTYOgn_UGo8pCyzdMZ0c2gEW8Km58LdMzLkrjUBZg/s320/%23JohnHume1994.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am far left in this picture with John Hume MEP right 1994. I was working with John Hume from 1992 and created early drafts of what would be come known as The Good Friday Agreement. Between 1996-98, I worked on the final draft of The Good Friday Agreement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I stepped away from the Good Friday Agreement when Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness admitted to me that they were arming The Real IRA to use as Proxies, this duplicity, had been used by Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA many times before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Republican Action Force was the name used by The Provisional IRA when they murdered 10 innocent Protestants in Kingsmill in 1976, I know this because my cousin Sean McKenna was one of the gunmen, and I spent many months with Sean as he recorded his life story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Direct Action Against Drugs was set-up by the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership in Belfast to take protection money from drug dealers. I know this, as Jock Davidson was my main Provisional IRA contact in the Markets/Shortstrand/Lower Ormeau Road area in Belfast for a number of years in the 1990s.</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2023/01/aidan-mcanespie-david-holden-sentence.html">The Shooting of Aidan McAnespie</a></b></span></h4><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Kevin McKenna had been known to me from the time I was a small child, when Kevin would cycle into Aughnacloy and Kevin would take me on the crossbar of his bike to my grandparents house in Coronation Park.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxvFes2LgNQQW-mynDobGiYnczHqBb0BnSdFqrQ4jYfSP3AVhVcdVXlwob2yMfBmS1ukeCbq7sb2RgB8DUssYhmAp10bEWXl7giK3uWqTmyXI7jR794ibdmdCA4RxXc8npyS0_9muYPKbKtP-7cnyijEcSoDdROsHF8LCT_hF4XkuHpZPexabrg/s1600/Gerry%20Adams%20letter%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxvFes2LgNQQW-mynDobGiYnczHqBb0BnSdFqrQ4jYfSP3AVhVcdVXlwob2yMfBmS1ukeCbq7sb2RgB8DUssYhmAp10bEWXl7giK3uWqTmyXI7jR794ibdmdCA4RxXc8npyS0_9muYPKbKtP-7cnyijEcSoDdROsHF8LCT_hF4XkuHpZPexabrg/s320/Gerry%20Adams%20letter%20(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1981, I had graduated from Na Fianna Eireann to working on Internal Security with JB O'Hagan, the PIRA member in uniform front left was dismissed from The PIRA because of my evidence to The PIRA Command Staff. For example, this PIRA member told me about certain matters that placed men and equipment at risk.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36A6T_8DIq1typQ8Qn2CBQXMNtdcHEXeNIfHCkpoXTf5UzdNJxYiWj1337hIgR_5t-gV23mySwfBKLnJcEx5s26fNpdX52WXz4i-SaUPmPzvq26y3nT0j1JXavYgetv3PX9cyhRJMUx9Xc1zDBCwNcSE1er0KSIE8Bfu5w81NQGuPBPUhWGsxjw/s610/BrendaToalArmaghMonaghan.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="610" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36A6T_8DIq1typQ8Qn2CBQXMNtdcHEXeNIfHCkpoXTf5UzdNJxYiWj1337hIgR_5t-gV23mySwfBKLnJcEx5s26fNpdX52WXz4i-SaUPmPzvq26y3nT0j1JXavYgetv3PX9cyhRJMUx9Xc1zDBCwNcSE1er0KSIE8Bfu5w81NQGuPBPUhWGsxjw/s320/BrendaToalArmaghMonaghan.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBTWnTlgaSWVsP54GWeJwws0d6IJQuRYQAlizDZqvKDMlEYCdyfgT8dRlwnCxTLN76x-qjSfynJT_Gsys8wyIgROB6SrRtqq7Hfff9fwM3CSZ6yMF-OomCIbZ4bbs9mOEEcC3g9ZK0ZPV6PfFCJpWPflVyWRRSOP0n_kKDCrcAjqfL0XW0CYYPg/s1600/JimLynagh1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBTWnTlgaSWVsP54GWeJwws0d6IJQuRYQAlizDZqvKDMlEYCdyfgT8dRlwnCxTLN76x-qjSfynJT_Gsys8wyIgROB6SrRtqq7Hfff9fwM3CSZ6yMF-OomCIbZ4bbs9mOEEcC3g9ZK0ZPV6PfFCJpWPflVyWRRSOP0n_kKDCrcAjqfL0XW0CYYPg/s320/JimLynagh1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD swore me into Sinn Fein/PIRA at a meeting attended by JB O'Hagan, Kieran Starr's and Padraigin Ui Mhurchadha (sister of Fergal O'Hanlon, shot dead 1957). I do not think that </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin ever knew that I was close to Kevin McKenna.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16px;">In this picture </span>Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin beneath the black flag with pick-axe raised above his head as protesters attack Gardai during a Hunger-strike march in Dublin in 1981. Before we left Monaghan that morning members of Sinn Fein/PIRA purchased dozens of Pick-axe handles from Patton's Hardware store in Monaghan Town to attack Gardai. It was hoped we would reach the British Embassy and burn it to the ground as was done following Bloody-Sunday. In this picture, Omagh Bomber, Seamus McKenna (black leather jacket) can be seen calling up those with the petrol bombs, to try and breach Garda lines.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXjhNZusKYHXEUQWkNemmCuBSuH8VyoEKUaxqNdX-Gw970EY3Hp7i9q0BF2VU2fcUH_Q_ZOtuDLdJ8W0MCC6tIYS0JIWO0Va_plqXn7xA0AR0LIKqGIMe228OQsAaA4Vaq497WhFTkbjzYl8IUZUns8XXssbHU4tMQExkzSQQ-XXTqrfE1OXJYg/s2139/hungerstrikemarchdublin1981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2139" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXjhNZusKYHXEUQWkNemmCuBSuH8VyoEKUaxqNdX-Gw970EY3Hp7i9q0BF2VU2fcUH_Q_ZOtuDLdJ8W0MCC6tIYS0JIWO0Va_plqXn7xA0AR0LIKqGIMe228OQsAaA4Vaq497WhFTkbjzYl8IUZUns8XXssbHU4tMQExkzSQQ-XXTqrfE1OXJYg/s320/hungerstrikemarchdublin1981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am in the picture below 1981 on the left carrying a symbolic coffin in Monaghan Town to commemorate the death of PIRA Hunger-striker, Kieran Doherty TD. We are all in-step to commands being shouted in Gaelic, I had learnt these commands in Na Fianna Eireann. This picture was reproduced in An Phoblacht in 2013 for a National Hunger-strike commemoration. In 2013, I was back on the inside of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Dublin and helping to </span>develop<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> their Information Technology systems. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My main contact 2013-2015 was Bobby Storey, I parted company with Bobby again when he admitted the Provisional IRA Army Council including Bobby had </span>sanctioned<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the murder of Kevin McGuigan in Belfast.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36A6T_8DIq1typQ8Qn2CBQXMNtdcHEXeNIfHCkpoXTf5UzdNJxYiWj1337hIgR_5t-gV23mySwfBKLnJcEx5s26fNpdX52WXz4i-SaUPmPzvq26y3nT0j1JXavYgetv3PX9cyhRJMUx9Xc1zDBCwNcSE1er0KSIE8Bfu5w81NQGuPBPUhWGsxjw/s610/BrendaToalArmaghMonaghan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="610" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36A6T_8DIq1typQ8Qn2CBQXMNtdcHEXeNIfHCkpoXTf5UzdNJxYiWj1337hIgR_5t-gV23mySwfBKLnJcEx5s26fNpdX52WXz4i-SaUPmPzvq26y3nT0j1JXavYgetv3PX9cyhRJMUx9Xc1zDBCwNcSE1er0KSIE8Bfu5w81NQGuPBPUhWGsxjw/s320/BrendaToalArmaghMonaghan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am encircled in the picture below behind to the left of John 'Dinger' Bell, I and others were to open a corridor through the crowd to get the PIRA gunmen up an entry and into the back of a house previously rented by one of the gunmen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The weapons and uniforms were to be moved in two Hi-ace Vans, one driven by Malachy Toal and the other by Patrick McKenna. Garda officers tried to block the exist of the two vans and the Garda car was over-turned into a ditch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Garda Detective, Joe Derwin opened fire with an Uzi-sub-machine gun and later a revolver. With their backs to the camera are PIRA Laurence McKenna (sentenced to 5-years for this incident) and Laurence McNally (shot dead by SAS 1991). Laurence McNally, Laurence McKenna and I confronted Joe Derwin, in order to prevent mourners being shot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabTSoaOlNGtVh-6Tqx65E5wj40qHHgse1QR4ZWX0nfT9EDziPZJ6BMf2WB4XzI-QYaHltwh7RH2MSc5dWkAZNs1upC0bYQKvOzs9tPz28mAcb1AEUaV1Pd4hVT7iXmWPb0xPsPeqT8jXVJm3D6_PMYll9B0N3RDFUMWCeqpzGJ6CTd3Li3xgtCA/s259/vincentmckennaIRA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabTSoaOlNGtVh-6Tqx65E5wj40qHHgse1QR4ZWX0nfT9EDziPZJ6BMf2WB4XzI-QYaHltwh7RH2MSc5dWkAZNs1upC0bYQKvOzs9tPz28mAcb1AEUaV1Pd4hVT7iXmWPb0xPsPeqT8jXVJm3D6_PMYll9B0N3RDFUMWCeqpzGJ6CTd3Li3xgtCA/s1600/vincentmckennaIRA.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-1bnZdZsDDELMQ4-YmedrX23FMyTf9vSkMqAUHAOzl7aigNLsKsPIcAl74rtYs-IPk-cpBHWi8wgg-RXW9g2K9nzk-h6VgZBP6LO-AOKCoRtNp7vuAbNJJ0Ot1FdWJHcC5FK6_Zs-jGI3eBXb0uafuvZBehwM2BsaccyTmyWGegqtsxII-YX6Q/s320/vmkemyvale.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-1bnZdZsDDELMQ4-YmedrX23FMyTf9vSkMqAUHAOzl7aigNLsKsPIcAl74rtYs-IPk-cpBHWi8wgg-RXW9g2K9nzk-h6VgZBP6LO-AOKCoRtNp7vuAbNJJ0Ot1FdWJHcC5FK6_Zs-jGI3eBXb0uafuvZBehwM2BsaccyTmyWGegqtsxII-YX6Q/s1600/vmkemyvale.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Two of the PIRA gunmen, Cathal and John would not be known as PIRA outside Sinn Fein/PIRA. The OC, facing the camera, John 'Dinger' Bell.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/12/gerry-adams-dead.html">The Plan to Murder Gerry Adams</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRvSJJizgGaXi2h_134EXDspgHl5qPv5VsUWHziES1Ae5WUXsofcjR5uBJBH_nvVwFretEk3Fdw511uPP8AeAcoCLW4v68SqYzdmtNpf4l3zkyuKdeJETyNggjkUdvCaTVBr7Wj_6fkvrvI4YxtZBJQRBpeSh8SXG-9LlA_2ph1fAb_B_88qgIA/s1065/decommissioning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1065" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRvSJJizgGaXi2h_134EXDspgHl5qPv5VsUWHziES1Ae5WUXsofcjR5uBJBH_nvVwFretEk3Fdw511uPP8AeAcoCLW4v68SqYzdmtNpf4l3zkyuKdeJETyNggjkUdvCaTVBr7Wj_6fkvrvI4YxtZBJQRBpeSh8SXG-9LlA_2ph1fAb_B_88qgIA/s320/decommissioning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Background</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">From the outset of the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, be that The IRA Border Campaign 1957-62 or the retraining and restructuring of The IRA 1962-66, there were constant efforts made by both the British and Irish Governments to maintain ‘peace’ within a Law and Order rather than a Social Reform framework.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is clear from the evidence of State papers released in The Irish Republic that the IRA was ready and preparing for a fresh campaign of sectarian violence. My own knowledge of this IRA preparedness in the 1960s, is boosted by my association with 1960s IRA men, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Joe Cahill, JB O’Hagan, Vincent Conlon and so forth in the 1980s, when they were leading The Provisional IRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">While it is often stated that the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland began for real with a Civil Rights March in Derry in October, 1968, a march baton charged by the RUC. This Civil Rights March followed by the creation of The People’s Democracy at Queens University, Belfast by Bernadette McAliskey (nee, Devlin), this is not the case.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In the summer of 1968, while I was 5-years-old, a paternal relative of mine, who was living in Caledon, County Tyrone, assisted nationalist politician, Austin Currie, and two members of the IRA Patsy Gildernew and Joe Campbell to break into and squat in a vacant house. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUojj6xq70DhfYDvJHdnLBvaLKKluUrC2K_BV-WOcJgi3xIUBftd9wvArti0Qgo5mmsVLIFqy0qTTrJ9NBoSJGmJI-tXy6EA5ZH5hYglSr9gfBSz3KG66_myKupjvfpuxM8wkqLlxpUXuo_3Nrx0NN15gQ88C1VfOmtPcCHjzElRJzirN2w7VKqw/s885/JoeCampbellCivilRights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="885" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUojj6xq70DhfYDvJHdnLBvaLKKluUrC2K_BV-WOcJgi3xIUBftd9wvArti0Qgo5mmsVLIFqy0qTTrJ9NBoSJGmJI-tXy6EA5ZH5hYglSr9gfBSz3KG66_myKupjvfpuxM8wkqLlxpUXuo_3Nrx0NN15gQ88C1VfOmtPcCHjzElRJzirN2w7VKqw/s320/JoeCampbellCivilRights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Left to Right: Patsy Gildernew, Austin Currie and Joe Campbell</b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">This in protest at the allocation of the house to a single Protestant woman and not to Patsy Gildernew and his family. In the 1980s Joe Campbell was living in Monaghan Town and sharing a house with PIRA Army Council member, JB O’Hagan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joe Campbell, said, “While the local council provided the opportunity in 1968, we in The IRA exploited that opportunity”</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qlfudwn1VWUzL44b-DmMsafxfDq8lKtZE5QFE9leaXS2xeMwFNgHq4xMjbR3us7o6iYf1FLVW6F5hw803ogVkfC6nif71cincMfArDeipCCg6uiFG6DP8dN3PiiH0zFm3t7pjZEdm5V6TBX5Yw4ai-85HWM0JHCndq5S93PAhZkeo4re-fahYQ/s983/joecampbellhungerstrikecommemoration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qlfudwn1VWUzL44b-DmMsafxfDq8lKtZE5QFE9leaXS2xeMwFNgHq4xMjbR3us7o6iYf1FLVW6F5hw803ogVkfC6nif71cincMfArDeipCCg6uiFG6DP8dN3PiiH0zFm3t7pjZEdm5V6TBX5Yw4ai-85HWM0JHCndq5S93PAhZkeo4re-fahYQ/s320/joecampbellhungerstrikecommemoration.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Joe Campbell in front of man with child at IRA march in Monaghan Town, 1981.</b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">This allocation process, appeared to favor Protestants over Catholics, particularly when individuals could be identified as having connections with Unionist Politicians. However, in Monaghan Town, in 1982, I was married with one child, and a Fianna Fail Councilor, Edmund Burke told me I could have one of the new council houses on Cortolvin Road, if I would vote for Fianna Fail in the election that year. I declined the offer, and was eventually granted a house in the less sought after, Mullaghmatt Council Housing estate in Monaghan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I can also say that many hundreds of my paternal, and to a lesser degree, maternal families, moved from The Irish Republic to Northern Ireland in the 1950s/60s to enjoy the benefits of council houses that had electricity, running water and a sewerage system, while a few hundred yards away in north Monaghan, families lived without what where being described in Northern Ireland as basic Civil Rights.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The point I make above, from real life experience, is that political allocation of houses and jobs, was not exclusive to Northern Ireland, and social depravation and disenfranchisement was much more common in The Irish Republic.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2023/01/henry-hensey-mckenna-provisional-ira.html">Hensey McKenna Death</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In the 1960s it would have been difficult for any Irish Government to demand a certain standard of living and freedoms in Northern Ireland when the same standard of living and freedoms were not available to the majority of people in The Irish Republic.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMd3GqyCa8Q35jthtkv4e-wclpBc8lHxTxJv8o_U-RpqftNYzrOv3wukpvFG2WZ6A0LqEqIQWe-MG5KsBSHd-gbJHcvmrCMtMcQeWaWJW4_ZjCvSwifya-1d_YF5TSUasrIoAs6pPEzxlJ85Ez764DN4Ylq-BdqgUIxkX83MI1_qEsioZU0KaAw/s300/dublinslums1968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMd3GqyCa8Q35jthtkv4e-wclpBc8lHxTxJv8o_U-RpqftNYzrOv3wukpvFG2WZ6A0LqEqIQWe-MG5KsBSHd-gbJHcvmrCMtMcQeWaWJW4_ZjCvSwifya-1d_YF5TSUasrIoAs6pPEzxlJ85Ez764DN4Ylq-BdqgUIxkX83MI1_qEsioZU0KaAw/s1600/dublinslums1968.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Dublin, 1968, hundreds of thousands lived in slums, hundreds of thousands disenfranchised.</b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When Jack Lynch became Taoiseach, 1966, he was given an assessment of The IRA by then Secretary of The Department of Justice, Peter Berry, for Lynch’s first meeting with British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Peter Berry explained to Jack Lynch that up to one-thousand men, women and children were under the command of The IRA Army Council, this was an increase from the estimate of six-hundred-fifty in 1962 when the failed IRA Border Campaign was halted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Peter Berry further reported that The IRA had been involved in drilling and arms training since its announced cessation in 1962. While The IRA were numerically strong, they lacked the finances for any sustained campaign of violence and Peter Berry was also aware of Communist leanings by some of The IRA leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Peter Berry concluded in his assessment of The IRA, that, any number of sparks could be used by The IRA to light a fresh campaign of sectarian violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When the sectarian conflict began for real, there were many efforts by many stake-holders to end the violence. In my own estimation, the British Foreign Office through MI6 were in contact with The Provisional IRA Army Council from the outset.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The British Government also used the British Embassy in Dublin to built a relationship with the Irish Government, with varying degrees of success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I do not support the view of many, that MI5, RUC Special Branch, British Military Intelligence and The NIO were opposed to any dealings with The Provisional IRA. All of these stake-holders were simply more cautious in their dealings with Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA as they knew them on the coal-face, not from behind a desk in Whitehall.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">All of that said, there remains key question marks over the role of MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley and his dealings with Martin McGuinness. The complexity of this relationship, is captured in the 1993 Communication from Oatley to McGuinness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In the 1993 Communication from MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley to Martin McGuinness, Oatley signs off with: <b>(see, Exhibit 1)</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“I hope you will not mind me ending with a new meaning to Tiocfaidh ár lá (Our Day will Come).”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>NOTE:</b> This Communication was initially hand-written by Michael Oatley and addressed to Martin McGuinness. However, Officer, Robert (see, initial) typed up the Communication in order to remove Martin McGuinness’s name from the top of the document and Michael Oatley’s from the bottom. Surely, if McGuinness was acting on behalf of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA there should have been no fear of disclosure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Robert was an MI5 Officer who meet with Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly MLA within days of the 20 March, 1993, Warrington Bomb attack in England in which two children were murdered. It was at this meeting that Robert gave Martin McGuinness the Communication from MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley, however, Gerry Kelly MLA was not made aware of this Communication by either Robert or McGuinness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It was this 20 March, 1993 indiscriminate litter-bin bombing in Warrington that certain loyalists hoped to replicate in Dublin and Monaghan in 1998, however, I was lucky to be in a position to prevent the bomb attacks in Dublin and Monaghan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Tiocfaidh ár lá in Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA parlance means a continued armed campaign until such time as a United Ireland free from British interference is achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">So, what is the “new meaning” that MI6 Officer Oatley is referring to? The surrender of The Provisional IRA, the removal of The Irish Republic’s claim over Northern Ireland, as then contained, in Articles 2 and 3 of Bunreacht na hEireann (Irish Constitution) and an acknowledgment by Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA that Northern Ireland is an integral part of The United Kingdom by Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA administering British Rule from Stormont.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">This Counter-Republic, achieved by Agents of Influence, is certainly a desirable out-come for the British.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Whatever, the “new meaning” alluded to by Oatley, it is clear that the relationship between Oatley and McGuinness was not one of McGuinness being a negotiator on behalf of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA and Oatley being a messenger to the British Government.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley also profiteered from his relationship with Martin McGuinness and Property Developer, Brendan Duddy. Duddy had claimed that he was the middleman between MI6 and Martin McGuinness, however, it is clear from Oatley’s communication to McGuinness in 1993, that no middleman was required for much of their relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Michael Oatley, Somerset, England, was listed at Companies House as a director of the Strand Hotel/Holiday Inn Express Derry-Londonderry from 2015 until October, 2018. Oatley had built up a substantial business portfolio in Northern Ireland while working with Martin McGuinness and Brendan Duddy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">MI6 attempted to recruit me on two occasions, 1995 in Cambridge and 1999 in London. The 1999 encounter was the most telling, as the MI6 Officers, had no concern about the fact that Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness had armed the Real IRA. It would not be unfair to say that MI6 held the same view as Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>“The odd bomb going off here and there will help keep Unionists focused on working with the ‘Doves’”.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Such a view could easily be understood within a certain set of circumstances, however, can such a view be justified when those bombs deliver mass-murder, intentional or not, as happened in Omagh 15 August, 1998. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There is an intrinsic moral culpability and potential for harm as encouragement, for those who would carry out acts of terrorism.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It can certainly be said that in the absence of the full facts in 1998 which lead to the Omagh Bomb, the Omagh Bomb and its aftermath were used as leverage to nudge unionists into power-sharing with Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">However, it is my view, from real-time operational experience, that as late as 1999, MI6 knew virtually nothing about the operational capacity of the Real/Continuity IRA, and I am not sure they were too bothered. MI6 offered me money, which would be funneled to me through a Manchester based businessman, and if the money was discovered, the businessman would say he was funding my peace work. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">MI6 told me they had funneled money to Bertie Ahern in exactly the same way. Bertie Ahern, while before The Mahon Tribunal on political corruption many years later, would try and explain away large amounts of sterling he received by saying he had won the money on the horses.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">MI6 had achieved their objective as directed by The Foreign Office, which was the removal or dilution of Articles 2 and 3 of Bunreacht na hEireann (The Irish Constitution) that laid claim to Northern Ireland. MI6 had secured the agreement of The Irish Government and Sinn Fein/PIRA to that dilution or removal and which was then ratified by Referendum in The Irish Republic.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">John Taylor MP who was a key Unionist negotiator at the talks leading to The Good Friday Agreement, said:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">"At the talks leading to the Belfast Agreement both the Republic of Ireland Government and Sinn Fein agreed to The Republic of Ireland abandoning its claim over Jurisdiction of Northern Ireland. They therefore agreed to the abandonment of Articles 2 and 3 and recognised Northern Ireland as part of The UK. The people of the Irish Republic agreed in referendum." (Twitter, 17 February, 2023).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">From a security point of view the operational capacity of Sinn Fein/PIRA was left to The RUC, MI5 and An Garda Siochana. The London and Dublin Governments were not losing any sleep due to the continued gangland criminality of Sinn Fein/PIRA and Others. Such gangland criminality viewed by both Governments as "Internal House-keeping" and not breaches of their Articles of Surrender.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">From my own knowledge of the RUC (and by definition MI5) cooperating with An Garda Siochana, significant numbers of operations that could have completely derailed the 'peace process' were prevented. The only significant departure from this cooperation, was Banbridge and Omagh. This departure explained in this submission.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Banbridge and Omagh Bombs</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On 4 July, 1998, I received a phone call from my cousin Seamus McKenna. In 1998, Seamus McKenna was working within a tight circle of Real IRA and Continuity IRA members who were mainly based in County Louth and to be found socialising in the Emerald Bar in Dundalk owned by Colm Murphy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seamus McKenna was well known to me since I was a small child. I would as a child visit my Uncle Sean's house in Newry (These visits referenced in Sean McKenna Jnr Biography) with my Father, Grand-father and Great-Grand-Father. During my Uncle Sean's funeral in 1975, I had stayed in my Uncle Sean's house in Newry for his wake.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In later years, when I had moved to Monaghan Town, my cousin Seamus would visit me. Seamus McKenna had extreme loyalty to me, as I had also taken care of his brother, Sean McKenna Jnr (PIRA Hunger-striker, 1980) when Sean was released from Long Kesh (The Maze Prison). Seamus would often talk about his Father, Sean McKenna Snr who had died as a result of the torture he had been subjected to during Internment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seamus always wanted me to know that he was still fighting in order to punish the Brits for what they had done to his Father. Seamus always spoke openly to me about what he was doing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seamus told me on the 4</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">July, 1998 that the Real IRA were going to bomb Banbridge and Omagh. I passed over what Seamus said and did not draw too much attention to it, because if Seamus thought I was trying to get information, rather than him giving information, he would simply say “Fuck Off”. I reminded Seamus about a time was I was placed in a cell in Omagh Court House and there was no back wall in the cell as PIRA had blown it up a short time before.</span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As soon as I finished my phone call with Seamus 4 July, 1998, I immediately phoned a Garda Special Branch Officer, Liam Donnelly, in Monaghan Town, whom I had known for some years. I told Liam Donnelly, what Seamus had said, and he said he would pass it on and get back to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Note: Garda Detective, Christy McNamee, known to me from 1980, who had retired, was in the 1990s working as a Private Detective. I had employed Christy as a Private Detective in relation to a number of matters. Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, while employed by An Garda Siochana was doing freelance work with Christy McNamee, it was Christy who introduced me to Liam Donnelly.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On Monday 6 July, 1998, my Garda contact, Liam Donnelly, phoned me and asked if I would meet with someone from Dublin who wanted a face to face. It just so happened that I had been invited to a function at Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of The Irish President, Mary McAleese, 11 July, 1998. I told my Garda contact Liam Donnelly that I would meet his contact at Áras an Uachtaráin on the 11 July, 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When I arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin on the 11 July, 1998 in the company of three others, who did not know my mission, we were welcomed by Mary McAleese and her husband Martin. Mary McAleese was known to me, as she had attended some of my peace work at Queens University in Belfast, when she was lecturing at QUB and I was a student.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When I received a call on my mobile phone, I excused myself from my company, and went to a side room of the main room where the function was taking place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>NOTE: In 1998, mobile phones were not as widely available as today, however, I had been employed by a Market Research Company called 'High Fliers' (Cambridge) to carryout Graduate Research at Queens University, when my Graduate Research was complete, High Fliers, allowed me to keep the mobile phone they had supplied to me for the Research.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I repeated at </span>Áras an Uachtaráin<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to a senior Garda Officer what my cousin Seamus McKenna told me about Banbridge and Omagh, and I made it absolutely clear that I wanted Michael McKevitt, Bernadette McKevitt Sands, Seamus McGrane, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna arrested and taken out of circulation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When I left Áras an Uachtaráin in the early hours of 12 July, 1998, I was satisfied that both the Banbridge and Omagh bombs would be stopped. As we prepared to leave <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Áras an Uachtaráin in the early hours of 12 July, 1998, a dark shadow had fallen upon us, as we </span>received<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> news that three children had just been burned to death in an </span>apparent<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> sectarian attack in Ballymoney.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Letter Ref: JDM/dh, dated 30 September, 1998, signed by Solicitor, Jason McCue working for Henry Hepworth, London, to Vincent McKenna.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Faxed again to Vincent McKenna from: Henry Hepworth – 0171-242-7998 on 3 December, 1998.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The letter explains that on dates including, July 14, 1998, I was a significant witness against Provisional IRA Chief of Staff, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy. I was a witness as I hoped that exposing the personal fortunes accumulated by Leadership members of Sinn Fein/PIRA would discourage lower ranking Sinn Fein/PIRA members from continuing to support acts of violence in the name of the 'cause’.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacATDTJ1wVn_6jk1H1MEumrajJIdVNfr-Z6YJMGzh4SWSkJ4xNwBZdMxjeknsLMmAlnX162X2csPyfxpDRAcYApy_arrWQzq4Htosj6RsN4WlJg6cmTDdd_m8gIDbiZrdxBHkyceqR30XANN2p9WxO2RZzBrKOZBLpUgAIoVS4bOZ9AZD9elYCg/s3648/DSCF1965.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacATDTJ1wVn_6jk1H1MEumrajJIdVNfr-Z6YJMGzh4SWSkJ4xNwBZdMxjeknsLMmAlnX162X2csPyfxpDRAcYApy_arrWQzq4Htosj6RsN4WlJg6cmTDdd_m8gIDbiZrdxBHkyceqR30XANN2p9WxO2RZzBrKOZBLpUgAIoVS4bOZ9AZD9elYCg/s320/DSCF1965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Following my disclosures at Aras an Uachtarain, 11 July, 1998, about the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs, I was asked to give sworn testimony in a closed Court setting, in order to prepare for the arrests of the Real IRA Leadership by Warrant. The date for this closed Court clashed with the date for me to give evidence against Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Judge presiding at the closed Court hearing wanted an explanation as to why I was absent from the closed Court hearing, but did attend on another day, hence the letter from Jason McCue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the end, none of the above mattered as Bertie Ahern Directed the Garda Commissioner, not to arrest the Real IRA Leadership, prior to the Banbridge and Omagh Bombings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On the 18 July, 1998, I was assaulted in Belfast by six members of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA led by Provisional IRA killer, Sean Clinton. One Sinn Fein/PIRA member would plead guilty in Court to this assault and the threat to kill was left on the books by agreement with me. The PIRA members had not done their homework, I had just won a Silver Medal in The UK Regional Martial Arts Championship.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A few hours after I was assaulted a Sinn Fein/PIRA gang murdered Andrew Kearney in Belfast, Andrew's alleged crime was that he protected a child from assault at the hands of a local Sinn Fein/PIRA gang leader. Sinn Fein/PIRA continued murdering, mutilating, exiling and raping as Mo Mowlam had assured the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership that the RUC would not intervene.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attacks on Mickey Donnelly (CIRA) in Derry and Kevin McQuillan (IRSP) in Belfast by Sinn Fein/PIRA, would result in Joe O'Neil (CIRA) in Donegal dispatching a no-warning 500lb car bomb to Connolly House in Belfast to wipe-out the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership, however the bomb was intercepted at the Donegal border, as I had been tipped-off by my cousin Seamus McKenna. Gardai would say that the bomb was on its way to a commercial target, however, this was to prevent retaliatory action by Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sinn Fein/PIRA did in early 2000 plant a bomb at Republican Sinn Fein Offices in Belfast as Republican Sinn Fein Leader, Ruairi O Bradaigh, was to officially open that office, however, a member of the public discovered the bomb and Sinn Fein/PIRA had to cover their tracks by disposing the bomb themselves. I do not know if Sinn Fein/PIRA ever knew about the bomb dispatched by Joe O'Neil.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When the Banbridge Bomb exploded 1 August, 1998, I phoned Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, and asked him why Michael McKevitt and the bombers had not been arrested, he had no explanation other than the decision was taken in Dublin. I told him that I might have been better going to the media, and he said, “Jesus don’t do that”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Following the Banbridge Bomb my cousin Seamus McKenna phoned me again and sounded disturbed about the fact that so many civilians had been injured. Seamus talked about the on-going plan to bomb Omagh, Seamus said that there had been a meeting between Michael McKevitt, Bernadette McKevitt Sands and Irish Government officials before Banbridge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I am satisfied that the meeting between Irish Government officials and the Real IRA before Banbridge was as a direct result of my meeting at </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Áras an Uachtaráin</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> 11 July, 1998 and my insistence that the Real IRA Leadership be arrested. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue TD while visiting me in Wheatfield Prison in early 2001, confirmed to me that he and Bertie Ahern had sent Dr Martin Mensergh to meet with The Real IRA following my tip-off, 11 July, 1998. According to John O'Donoghue TD the Government did not want to undermine Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness by arresting the sister of Bobby Sands, shortly after signing The Good Friday Agreement. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Between 2010-2011, I was close to Bernadette McKevitt-Sands and she confirmed that the meeting between Dr Martin Mensergh and the Real IRA was before Banbridge, and Mansergh had made it clear that the Government knew the Real IRA were planning a fresh bombing campaign. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bernadette confirmed that in the aftermath of Omagh, Dr Mansergh meet with the Real IRA Leadership again and offered a full-amnesty in relation to Omagh if the Real IRA would disband. The Intel Report below was submitted by me, six-weeks before Paddy Dixon was blown up in Navan in 2011, with a booby-trap bomb.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2011, Bernadette McKevitt-Sands, was working in Navan, Paddy Dixon and I were living in Navan, County Meath.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61iHWi87RfVNIOzkcbAXZ1vWBqYjiYaJiuTXmSGWOIo3eO1nSbG4NGZLPwzkbB3r804W2d0kqBj6p05-vaqEiB641OxV0sf9J6kGQAXf2IsDDxRhvMVna2Y9i_2pXb732_u9o7J_ZndmjwTrI04d8nAr9pxoP0njK_uPNpwxP95oF12pzKPlbmw/s3648/DSCF1563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61iHWi87RfVNIOzkcbAXZ1vWBqYjiYaJiuTXmSGWOIo3eO1nSbG4NGZLPwzkbB3r804W2d0kqBj6p05-vaqEiB641OxV0sf9J6kGQAXf2IsDDxRhvMVna2Y9i_2pXb732_u9o7J_ZndmjwTrI04d8nAr9pxoP0njK_uPNpwxP95oF12pzKPlbmw/s320/DSCF1563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the aftermath of the Omagh Bomb, I was able to prevent further Bomb attacks that were being directed by the Leadership of Real/Continuity IRA. My source for this information was Seamus McKenna and specifically related to the 500lb bomb destined for the residence of The Secretary of State in Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson and the bomb dispatched by Joe O'Neil to bomb Connolly House in west Belfast. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The difference between these two bombs being stopped and the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs being allowed to run, was the fact that I provided the information about the Mandelson and O'Neil bombs to the RUC, not An Garda Siochana. As the Mandelson bombers were being arrested, an RUC officer phoned me and thanked me for providing information that prevented the bombing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry-TKu-ELsjlLtxq9N2G3D74RHuByIhBEgyNzvrdADvceZeUutS6LSUwubaZcsDzf7KQOqSHufnuEIpxmhrMVVsJO56G2LHawY1I1QvkbdD62DqowF_kA1_jw_1gz2E54-y-q6ZOduia2BjabOFHLHebY6uYi6UW4ZKC_Nf9imOtWtEYHOYJ3Hw/s3648/DSCF1350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry-TKu-ELsjlLtxq9N2G3D74RHuByIhBEgyNzvrdADvceZeUutS6LSUwubaZcsDzf7KQOqSHufnuEIpxmhrMVVsJO56G2LHawY1I1QvkbdD62DqowF_kA1_jw_1gz2E54-y-q6ZOduia2BjabOFHLHebY6uYi6UW4ZKC_Nf9imOtWtEYHOYJ3Hw/s320/DSCF1350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is an </span>original<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> part of an Intel Report in which I identified the location of one of the bombers. The RUC had absolutely no clue that this individual was a terrorist until I identified him as such.</span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The London bomb team including Queen's University student, Darren Mulholland, who was known to Seamus McKenna in Dundalk and I at QUB, was also arrested in 1998 based on my information. However, unlike the Banbridge and Omagh bombs, An Garda Siochana shared my information with MI5. At QUB Freshers week in the Autumn of 1998, Sinn Fein/PIRA personnel were again recruiting students for a bombing campaign in England, Sean, Kevin and Mark were named publicly by me as the PIRA recruiters.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">BBC Spotlight would later state that I had lied about students being recruited for a bombing campaign in England, even though the student bombers had been arrested with semtex before the program was aired. It may be the case that 'dark forces' and their proxies in the media had wanted the bomb attacks to go ahead, however, my going public had prevented the attacks. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I had also prevented attacks on leading members of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Belfast and bomb attacks in The Irish Republic, these were planned loyalist attacks, however, I cannot at this time name the informants, as one at least is still alive. Gerry Adams and </span>Caoimhghin O'Caolain <span style="font-size: 12pt;">were only made aware of this aspect of my work in 2018.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2019, I meet Bertie Ahern at a function in north Dublin, and Bertie Ahern confirmed that he had directed Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, not to arrest the Real IRA Leadership prior to the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs, as he was taking his direction about the Real IRA from Phil Flynn, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Caoimhghin O'Caolain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2_PjVzL4AA2xXiQugXIoxvhzX4a_4FiSb90sT_ZVMO6mnOgSUHOeHRlLFDssiUXs7ogCmH3nZNX2pm70Uh9tpvGnaziPLiDC-EBWQMA50f8Kll3pvi1SCdu0L2eCArgRgk9-pbQnhDjkX7gwVwMDh0YBVgXLlhleYd8WEBCsmpYmB_O2lndRoQ/s1024/bertieaherngerryadams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1024" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2_PjVzL4AA2xXiQugXIoxvhzX4a_4FiSb90sT_ZVMO6mnOgSUHOeHRlLFDssiUXs7ogCmH3nZNX2pm70Uh9tpvGnaziPLiDC-EBWQMA50f8Kll3pvi1SCdu0L2eCArgRgk9-pbQnhDjkX7gwVwMDh0YBVgXLlhleYd8WEBCsmpYmB_O2lndRoQ/s320/bertieaherngerryadams.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Bertie Ahern with PIRA Army Council members, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris.</b></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie had chosen to send Dr Martin Mensergh to talk to the Real IRA. Bertie said that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Phil Flynn, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Caoimhghin O'Caolain, described Bernadette-McKevitt-Sands in particular, as republican royalty, and her arrest with her husband Michael McKevitt could undermine Adams and McGuinness on their home ground where there was strong opposition to The Good Friday Agreement. This opposition, manifested in brutal attacks by Sinn Fein/PIRA on Kevin McQuillan in Belfast and Mickey Donnelly in Derry City.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seamus McKenna said the Court House in Omagh was going to be bombed on Saturday the 15 of August, 1998, he was not happy about it, but what could he do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I phoned Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly in Monaghan and updated him on what Seamus had said about the plan to bomb Omagh Court House on the 15 August, 1998. Garda Detective Liam Donnelly assured me that the bomb would be stopped and to say nothing to anyone else. I made a note in my 1998 diary, this diary has been seen by senior police officers. I have been a prolific diarist from 1980.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8ixymd_E78b4Pm8tUe3rAevdQoOzp3a-2D2TpyJQq-uTfprvd5c9S2cJmvllJDjAjv7SAoKzRCCHEIAKE54KxUuee6VAHmcjzNz8Ohf5i5oSyw-hLQ9dR0fTkA_XRoWUI-AlQ_hPZR_5C-jnsimaOjq1YTEFMEGRJqfF_uJkewhJ1OwrYUb3uUw=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8ixymd_E78b4Pm8tUe3rAevdQoOzp3a-2D2TpyJQq-uTfprvd5c9S2cJmvllJDjAjv7SAoKzRCCHEIAKE54KxUuee6VAHmcjzNz8Ohf5i5oSyw-hLQ9dR0fTkA_XRoWUI-AlQ_hPZR_5C-jnsimaOjq1YTEFMEGRJqfF_uJkewhJ1OwrYUb3uUw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On Saturday 15</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> August, 1998, I was in Portrush in a mobile home and listening to the radio expecting to hear that the bomb had been stopped on its way to Omagh, when news of the bomb exploding came on the radio, it put me to my knees. I could not believe that the bomb had not been intercepted. I phoned Garda Detective Liam Donnelly, he had no explanation other than the decision was taken in Dublin, and he sounded like he was under pressure.</span></span><p style="font-size: 12pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I then phoned renowned journalist Barrie Penrose with whom I was working on the, Thomas 'Slab' Murphy case, at that time and I put on record with Barrie everything that had happened over the previous weeks including the names I had given to the Irish authorities. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I also got a bus to Belfast, left my partner and children in Portrush, and briefed a couple of trusted journalists as I believed the truth about Omagh would never be told.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Omagh Bomb became very personal for me, when it became clear that Avril Monaghan, Avril's mother, Mary, Avril's little daughter Maura and Avril's unborn twins were all murdered. Avril's husband Michael and his brother Dermot were school friends of mine, we had played GAA together at St Ciaran's Secondary school in Ballygawley and in our local clubs of Aughaloo and Augher.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">My cousins Willie, Eugene and Dessie McKenna had a small pub in Augher close to Monaghan's pub and I had played darts in both bars many times over many years, this was a small rural community ripped apart in Omagh on the 15 August, 1998. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1998, in the immediate aftermath of the Omagh Bomb when I publicly criticised Bertie Ahern and John O’Donoghue for directing Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, not to arrest the Omagh Bombers pre-Omagh, both Ahern and O’Donoghue stated publicly that they could not direct the Garda Commissioner in his operational duties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Unfortunately, by the time of the Omagh Bomb investigative journalism had all but died alongside the truth, nobody would investigate my claims, all of which have since been proven true. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1970, the head of Garda Special Branch had pleaded with Jack Lynch, not to order him to arrest the PIRA Army Council who were meeting in Cavan, the head of Garda Special Branch had told Jack Lynch that An Garda Siochana had agents at the table. Jack Lynch had in 1979 directed the Garda Commissioner of the day not to investigate Narrow Water, when 19 British soldiers had been murdered following sanction from Martin McGuinness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQNKUWMg83D0nrqMqYj6yd1doztNvTL89IfkSTl55L0zu7BwxIrs3LaIfOaFlgkMKwKoFcAxhb21GWKUZ4lfJpsbcStQz03Dx2St3GaWKgzm7mMvwM472ksOP0u0uYWv9tdMUXB8iu3s1WRrJfLEQhUQGetam_D-1irYRSoV4zX9-CxNGLH0u1Q/s1024/1972IRApressconference.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="1024" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQNKUWMg83D0nrqMqYj6yd1doztNvTL89IfkSTl55L0zu7BwxIrs3LaIfOaFlgkMKwKoFcAxhb21GWKUZ4lfJpsbcStQz03Dx2St3GaWKgzm7mMvwM472ksOP0u0uYWv9tdMUXB8iu3s1WRrJfLEQhUQGetam_D-1irYRSoV4zX9-CxNGLH0u1Q/s320/1972IRApressconference.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It was this action by Lynch in 1979, that led certain Garda officers in Monaghan Town to form a coherent intelligence unit that would work closely with other agencies to exchange information on the Provisional IRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In 2021, former Minister for Justice in The Irish Republic, Michael McDowell SC would tell publicly how Bertie Ahern’s Government did in 2002 grant a De Facto Amnesty to Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA murderers. McDowell stated that Bertie Ahern’s Government directed the Garda Commissioner to focus Garda resources against the Real IRA, Continuity IRA and hands off the Provisional IRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In February 1999, it was clear that there was nobody in The Irish Government interested in establishing the truth about the Omagh Bomb, and in order to place pressure on my Garda contacts, I used a public platform to name Michael McKevitt as the Leader of the Real IRA and responsible for the Omagh Bomb. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;">Many in the world of politics and media, used the excuse, that naming suspects could prejudice future trials, however, this was a convenient lie, as such trials would take place before professional judges and not a jury. The same reluctant commentators had no problem naming suspects in the past, however, this time it was different, the bombers had been sitting with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness only months earlier. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;">BBC NI Spotlight had in 1999, critiqued my public naming of the Omagh Bombers, and yet, BBC NI Spotlight would later name the bombers, however, such naming, including that of Colm Murphy was rejected by The Special Criminal Court as a reason why Colm Murphy would not get a fair trial.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Immediately following my public disclosure An Garda Siochana, in the form of my Garda contacts, including Liam Donnelly, arrested Colm Murphy. However, while Colm Murphy would be charged in relation to the Omagh Bomb, he would be eventually acquitted as Liam Donnelly had tampered with Colm Murphy's statements. Bizarrely, the tampering exposed by a Garda Forensic expert.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Newly Discovered Facts</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Declassified files in Northern Ireland in 2021, show that just months before the Omagh Bombing by the Real IRA in 1998, Sinn Féin/Provisional IRA privately played down the threat from dissident republicans and chided the British Government for how seriously they were being taken.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">These declassified files show that the Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Leadership were advising the British Government through various channels, including MI6, that the Real IRA posed no serious threat. T</span>he Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Leadership were also advising the Irish Government that no action should be taken against the Real IRA.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">State Papers released in December, 2021, show that, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told British Prime Minister Tony Blair only two weeks before the Omagh bombing on 15 August, 1998 that while the breakaway Real IRA had attracted hard core members it did not seem to be “overly active”. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">This at a time Bertie Ahern knows the Real IRA are preparing a fresh bombing campaign. If Bertie Ahern believed, as he told Blair, that the Real IRA posed no serious threat, why did Ahern send Dr Martin Mansergh to talk with the Real IRA pre-Banbridge and Omagh Bomb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In a telephone conversation between the two leaders on July 31, 1998, the day before Bandbridge Bomb exploded, Ahern shared intelligence on the new paramilitary group, composed of former Provisional IRA members who opposed the ceasefire and the peace process.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Our security people, like yours, I think overstate the position,” he said. “Even when we check it out [the Real IRA] obviously have somewhere close to a hundred people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“The quality of them I think are probably good enough in that they have an awful lot of the wrong people from our point of view. But they don’t seem to be overly active.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">He added: “Now there is a hard core that of course never stops, never has stopped, and they never will…as long as it doesn’t numerically get too big it means we can keep a good eye on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“There is always the worry that somewhere along the way somebody slips you but I think our guys feel fairly happy that they know they’re keeping a handle on it,” he told Mr Blair, who replied “Yeah, I see.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In the above statement, Bertie Ahern shows his hand, "somebody slips you", this the day before the Banbridge bomb explodes injuring dozens of men, women and children.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A little over a fortnight later, on August 15, a car bombing carried out in Omagh, Co Tyrone, by the Real IRA killed 29 people, one of them a woman pregnant with twins, and injured 220.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The transcript of the conversation between the two leaders is contained in confidential records from 1991 to 199</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">8 held by the Department of An Taoiseach which have now been transferred to the National Archive for public viewing.</span></p><h3 style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Conspiracy to Silence</b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">November, 2002, Bertie Ahern Lied to Dail Eireann about his pre-Omagh Bomb knowledge of the Real IRA Bombers. Dr Martin Mensergh, Bertie Ahern’s key-advisor on Northern Ireland affairs had meet with The Real IRA both pre-Omagh Bomb and post-Omagh Bomb. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We now know, McDowell SC (2021), that as Bertie Ahern was lying to Dail Eireann about his pre-knowledge of the Omagh Bombers, he has granted a De Facto Amnesty to Martin McGuinness, Kevin McKenna and others who were culpable in the Omagh Bombing.</span></p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">9 December, 2002, I, as a Common Informer (Common Law Term) issued criminals proceedings against Minister for Justice, John O’Donoghue TD on 9 December, 2002, stating that John O’Donoghue TD by his actions had Perverted the Course of Justice in DPP v Vincent McKenna. Documents released to me under a Freedom of Information request, proved that O'Donoghue had given direction to The DPP, James Hamilton.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This intervention by O'Donoghue was at all times about burying the truth about Omagh, as the intervention is made at a time that O'Donoghue's Department was lobbying on behalf of some of Ireland's most prolific sex offenders including serial child-rapist Patrick Naughton.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDxrUZwHc9pdxmBlOvYIjvAu9qAA0wfbUwSgvI2wHJzQHGmTTQHyDGVdhem2fxchg0DGvqq_DlRXfzjZDvlTJX7Fhu6rgziXFR5iOpuwv3DHF30uqB_1gsdVbKr8UTdBTo4cjTzJeRK5-TGEPcUe1_XouuzwS5UF14lwEvjHFA37Hp-zL0gpeXA/s3648/DSCF1505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDxrUZwHc9pdxmBlOvYIjvAu9qAA0wfbUwSgvI2wHJzQHGmTTQHyDGVdhem2fxchg0DGvqq_DlRXfzjZDvlTJX7Fhu6rgziXFR5iOpuwv3DHF30uqB_1gsdVbKr8UTdBTo4cjTzJeRK5-TGEPcUe1_XouuzwS5UF14lwEvjHFA37Hp-zL0gpeXA/s320/DSCF1505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANvAW5l9ljicxpNeUuNOcplCQwbOWIV9HYcTBN_SFiNvownleaZZbl61GlIErA5YLevfDUeoWQXIHkAafdOIX7c2rl6wsffs70hOJIycHC4Uzv2wnhbiHNzhWlXzsKY9TIrz_wlEHm6Duq2F8z114e-s7ZSh6W35J6MNJDjLM2g9w3q7QlQwMqg/s3648/DSCF1370.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANvAW5l9ljicxpNeUuNOcplCQwbOWIV9HYcTBN_SFiNvownleaZZbl61GlIErA5YLevfDUeoWQXIHkAafdOIX7c2rl6wsffs70hOJIycHC4Uzv2wnhbiHNzhWlXzsKY9TIrz_wlEHm6Duq2F8z114e-s7ZSh6W35J6MNJDjLM2g9w3q7QlQwMqg/s320/DSCF1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">10 December, 2002: Detective Superintendent, Tadgh Foley, of Monaghan Garda Station, did seek and was granted a Section 42 Warrant for my arrest from Wheatfield Prison, accusing me in relation to the Omagh Bomb. I had prior knowledge of my arrest and I was warned to keep my mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY49h7-60OR5WU5ao7mepi861VlNyTL-UIi2WslYvcuKvvXXGnyQQg7-ul3IyXJy_qs4j5Sauinujlmqj-hJ-Yg-SUg29piCuLYsulqtl1tbdulfF5Pj8i_QSh5yy51mH0bspUN0c5BMlSfu5IpXB6LmtLQppgAfFp--3TVJF4h0KzT7Z6wJ7U_A/s3648/DSCF1330.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY49h7-60OR5WU5ao7mepi861VlNyTL-UIi2WslYvcuKvvXXGnyQQg7-ul3IyXJy_qs4j5Sauinujlmqj-hJ-Yg-SUg29piCuLYsulqtl1tbdulfF5Pj8i_QSh5yy51mH0bspUN0c5BMlSfu5IpXB6LmtLQppgAfFp--3TVJF4h0KzT7Z6wJ7U_A/s320/DSCF1330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the Garda Detectives involved in this bogus arrest, told me that I could thank John O’Donoghue TD for the outing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Following my release from Garda custody back into prison custody, I was on a second occasion taken from custody under a Section 42 Warrant in 2003 and simply warned to keep my mouth shut about the Omagh Bomb. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Many years later I would learn that no Warrant existed for this second arrest from Wheatfield Prison in 2003, it was in fact a kidnapping by rogue Gardai.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This second arrest took place after I had Notified, Garda Special Branch in Dublin, in April, 2003, that my cousin Seamus McKenna was making a “Big Mix” (Bomb). I did not deliver this message personally. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I asked a senior prison officer to deliver my message to Special Branch. I done this for two reasons, the first was to ensure that I had an independent witness and secondly, to show prison management that I was not the devil being portrayed in the media by pedophile journalists such as Tom Humphrey's and Patrick 'Paddy' Tierney, just to name two.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">This media commentary pre-charge, post-charge and during the trial by Sinn Fein/PIRA proxies went unchallenged by the Courts. On Sunday, January 23, 2000, pre-trial, Anne Cadwallader (married to PIRA convicted Terrorist and protected pedophile, Gerry O'Hare), penned a three-page article about me in a Dublin based newspaper, Ireland on Sunday, the article began on the front page <b>‘Inside the world of Vincent McKenna’</b> and was continued in a double-page spread on pages 10 and 11.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">According to Ireland on Sunday (March 12, 2000) the paper was enjoying a Readership each Sunday of 197,000 this total not including other media coverage of the paper’s lead stories.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">High Court Judge, Mella Carroll, who was one of the three Appeal Court Judges in DDP v Vincent McKenna, having been shown a Sunday Tribune article written by Susan McKay, said: "This case (DPP v Vincent McKenna) was difficult enough for everyone involved, without journalists manufacturing lies around the case, Susan McKay, certainly manufactured the depraved lie about Porn and FAIT, this is worthy of contempt proceedings".</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">As part of the Black-propaganda campaign being waged against me by Sinn Fein/PIRA proxies in the media, Susan McKay had stated that porn had been found on a computer while I was in Families Against Intimidation and Terror and the RUC had failed to act. In fact, no such porn had ever been found while I was in FAIT. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Months before I had entered FAIT, Sam Cushnahan who was engaged in a personal war with former FAIT Development Officer, Glynn Roberts had told the tabloid media that porn had been found on a FAIT computer in order to discredit Glynn.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Seamus McKenna was, following this tip-off by me in 2003 and subsequent Garda surveillance, arrested in possession of the largest quantity of explosives ever found in The Irish Republic in June 2003. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seamus McKenna was sentenced to 6-years, as this was Seamus McKenna’s first terrorist conviction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The fact that I had proven again in 2003, that I had information from my cousin Seamus McKenna, gave credibility to my assertions that I had pre-warned An Garda Siochana and the Irish Government about the Real IRA plan to bomb Banbridge and Omagh in 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">October, 2003, Bertie Ahern would admit to the Dail, that he misled the Dail in 2002 over Omagh. I had provided information, that proved that Bertie Ahern was a liar about his pre-knowledge of Omagh.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Former, Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell SC, 2022.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, Easter Bank Holiday 2022, Fairy House Race Course, Irish Grand National.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Reasons Why The Omagh Bomb was Allowed to Run</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Before I had the opportunity to speak with the majority of key-players involved in the Omagh Bomb attack, 15 August, 1998, there were three reasons being offered by many commentators as to why the Omagh Bomb was allowed to go ahead, if advanced warning had been given. I set them out here simpliciter:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">1. To protect an Agent who was being embedded into The Real IRA in 1998. David Rupert was an FBI/MI5 Agent and was paid $10,000,000 for infiltrating The Real IRA.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sean O’Driscoll has written a book, The Accidental Spy, about David Rupert’s infiltration of both Continuity IRA and later The Real IRA. I have not read the book, but I have read a pre-view of the book published in The Belfast Telegraph, 12 January, 2019, and in that pre-view, there is an interesting passage:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“After the Omagh Bomb in 1998, his mission became all the more urgent. By now, the FBI had contacted MI5, who needed someone in the larger and deadlier Real IRA”.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This passage if taken at face value, could rule out the Omagh Bomb being allowed to run to facilitate Rupert’s infiltration of The Real IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 22 March, 2023, at 11.15pm, I watched an interview with David Rupert and his wife, on BBC NI Spotlight. Rupert's association with Joe O'Neil (Continuity IRA) in Donegal from 1992 to 1999, is explained in simple terms. The simplicity of this dangerous liaison is understood by me, as my cousin Seamus McKenna (Continuity IRA) was a guest of Joe O'Neil's in Donegal on many occasions.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">David Rupert explained in his own words that he did not meet Michael McKevitt until August/September, 1999, this long after the Omagh Bomb. David Rupert also stated that he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the Omagh Bombing during his association with Joe O'Neil and Continuity IRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This admission by David Rupert means that Bertie Ahern and his Advisor, Dr Martin Mansergh were in direct contact with the Real IRA including Michael McKevitt for over one-year before David Rupert meet with Michael McKevitt. In the Spotlight program Dr Martin Mansergh's contribution is limited to his admission that it was Michael McKevitt he meet with and not 32 County Sovereignty Committee as stated by Bertie Ahern to Dail Eireann.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">David Rupert explained that in October, 2000, when the FBI had asked David to give evidence in Court against Michael McKevitt, his MI5 Handlers did not want McKevitt arrested. However, the FBI gather evidence for prosecution while MI5 gather intelligence for monitoring terrorists, so nothing significant turns on the attitude of MI5, particularly when we remember that McKevitt could have been convicted on the belief evidence of a Garda Supt pre-Omagh and easily sentenced to 5-years.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">March, 2001, Michael McKevitt was arrested by An Garda Siochana and charged with Directing Terrorism. A Garda Detective, who arrested McKevitt in 2001, told the BBC Spotlight program, that McKevitt said to him:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>"This is a done deal, I am going to be imprisoned because of who I am".</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Garda Detective went on to say that McKevitt believed himself to be a victim of a political conspiracy by the Dublin Government. While I have no doubt that An Garda Siochana were acting in good faith by arresting McKevitt in 2001, there is no question in my mind that McKevitt's arrest and imprisonment was a political-stunt to try and cover-up the fact that the Omagh Bombers could have been arrested pre-Omagh if it had not been for the unlawful interjection of Bertie Ahern and John O'Donoghue.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Paddy Dixon and his Garda Handler, Garda Sargent, John White, would, following the Omagh Bombing, claim that they had given advance warning to senior Garda Officers about the bombing. These claims by Garda Sargent, John White were accepted by The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">2. To undermine the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership as the majority of ordinary citizens and international observers would not be able to morally distinguish between Sinn Fein/PIRA and The Real IRA.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">3. To use the Real IRA bombing campaign as leverage to force Unionists into a power-sharing Executive with the Sinn Fein/PIRA ‘Doves’, this was certainly the view expressed to me by Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness pre-Omagh and these were the people advising Bertie Ahern and the British Government through various channels.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Now in 2023, with the announcement by the British Government of a Public Inquiry into the Omagh Bomb and having had an opportunity over 25 years to speak with many of the key players relating to the Omagh Bomb, the reason why the Omagh Bomb was allowed to go ahead can be summarised as follows:</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">A.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Leadership by arming, by inaction or design, the Real IRA, believed that they could use the Real IRA (Hawks) as Proxies. To bomb Unionists into power-sharing, while Sinn Fein/PIRA presented themselves as the Peace Doves. Unionists could work with the Doves or face the Hawks.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">B.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Real/Continuity IRA led by Michael McKevitt, believed that their continued campaign of violence would undermine Gerry Adams and his Peace Strategy. This campaign more personal than political. McKevitt never really understanding that he was simply copper-fastening The Good Friday Agreement.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">C.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern and by extension John O’Donoghue, taking advice from Phil Flynn, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (First Sinn Fein TD elected 1997), did not want to undermine Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness or the peace process by arresting ‘republican royalty’ Bernadette McKevitt-Sands (Sister of PIRA Hunger-striker, Bobby Sands) and her husband, Michael McKevitt, whom a few months earlier was The Provisional IRA Quarter Master General and sitting on The PIRA Army Council with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 4; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The third option is the easiest to sustain, and is the option that is easily supported by the evidence.</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The third option is the easiest to sustain, and is the option that is easily supported by the evidence. Bertie Ahern was in 1998 already at the centre of a Political Corruption Scandal that would be proven many years later by The Mahon Tribunal. However, as early as 1997, Bertie Ahern’s mentor, Charles Haughey had been exposed, it was only a matter of time before Bertie Ahern walked to the political gallows, and only the distraction of Northern Ireland could delay that public hanging.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE: In July, 1997, Charles Haughey gave evidence to the McCracken Tribunal on corruption confirming that he had received IR£1.3 million (€1.7 million) in gifts from businessman Ben Dunne, which he had previously denied. This damaged Haughey's reputation beyond repair.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern needed the cloak of delivering 'peace' in Northern Ireland to regain some political value within Fianna Fail and the population in general. Bertie Ahern was not going to do anything that could under-mine Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and by association the peace process.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern was taking his advice about Northern Ireland from former Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Vice-President, Phil Flynn. Phil had resigned as Vice-President of Sinn Fein/PIRA at the Sinn Fein/PIRA, Ard Fheis in 1984, but as he delivered his resignation speech at the Ard Fheis he swore publicly, in blood, to always remain available to Sinn Fein/PIRA. Phil Flynn would be named as being key to the money-laundering operation that followed the Northern Bank Robbery in 2004.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While I had been in close proximity to Bertie Ahern in 2005/06 as part of a Special Garda Operation and again in 2013 in relation to a money-laundering operation, It would not be until December, 2019, that I would get an opportunity to ask Bertie Ahern why he had directed Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, not to arrest Michael McKevitt and the Omagh Bomb Team before the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs in 1998, and rather chose to send his advisor Martin Mansergh for tea and biscuits with Michael McKevitt and the Omagh Bomb Team.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern told me that, Phil Flynn, Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Runner for PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna) advised him not to arrest McKevitt and the would-be Bombers for fears such arrests could undermine Adams and McGuinness.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Bertie Ahern, was also aware that in the run up to The Good Friday Agreement and beyond, Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA could at any time call the Fianna Fail government out on its abandonment of Articles 2 and 3 of Bunreacht na hEireann, which laid claim to Northern Ireland. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Although Sinn Fein/PIRA had also agreed to the abandonment of Articles 2 and 3 they would in such circumstances simply deny having agreed to such abandonment. Bertie Ahern was prepared to do whatever it took to keep his political position.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On 21 December, 2022, Bertie Ahern’s key-advisor on Northern Ireland, Dr Martin Mansergh told RTÉ documentary Two Tribes, about Ahern’s concerns about Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA in 1998, the potential dual positions of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA, arose over concerns in The Irish Republic about the removal of articles 2 and 3 of The Constitution, which made claim to Northern Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Such political duplicity was not uncommon for Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA, and a good example was in 2011, when Martin McGuinness welcomed Queen Elizabeth in Belfast, while Gerry Adams went on RTE Television and stated that Queen Elizabeth was not welcome in The Irish Republic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Mansergh, who was an adviser during the peace process, said Sinn Féin's planned opposition to the accord in the Republic had worried Bertie Ahern and his government.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">"They did contemplate supporting the referendum in the north and opposing it in the south, they had literature printed against the changes to articles 2 and 3," Dr Mansergh said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The documentary linked the "nervousness" within the Republic's government to the decision by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to release four PIRA prisoners known as the Balcombe Street gang.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On their release the four men then appeared at a Sinn Féin Ard Fheis supporting the Good Friday Agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Ahern told the RTE program: "I took the decision that we should release the Balmcombe Street prisoners who had been sent back from England on the transfer of prisoners act".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">"They were released in the afternoon and turned up at the Ard Fheis. I think the euphoria made sure we got across the line".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">If Bertie Ahern had directed Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne to arrest Michael McKevitt and his bomb team prior to Omagh, this could have been done on the 'Belief' evidence of a Garda Superintendent. If McKevitt and his bomb team had been taken out of circulation neither the Banbridge nor the Omagh Bomb would have happened.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern lied to Dail Eireann in 2002 about his knowledge of The Real IRA pre-Omagh:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Nov 2002 - <a href="https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30075592.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30075592.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Oct 2003 - <a href="https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ahern-admits-real-ira-talks-25926350.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ahern-admits-real-ira-talks-25926350.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern mislead Dail Eireann, when asked if he had directed his Special Advisor, Dr Martin Mansergh to meet with The Real IRA prior to the Omagh Bomb in 1998, this meeting was directed after the Government had been advised by me of an imminent bombing campaign, Banbridge and Omagh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">One-year, 14 October, 2003, after misleading Dail Eireann, The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that his then special adviser Dr Mansergh:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Did have contact with the 32-County Sovereignty Movement in 1998, <b>some weeks before </b>the Omagh atrocity and with a view to persuading the Real IRA to cease their activities".</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Regrettably the Real IRA did not heed this message and, indeed, <b>subsequently resumed </b>their activities," he said. He reiterated that there was <b>"no 'deal' done</b> by the Government either directly or indirectly" with the Real IRA in return for a ceasefire or in seeking their disbandment.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This attitude, to the Truth, by Bertie Ahern, is in stark contrast to the findings of The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), in relation to dealing other Real IRA actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Mr Ronan, MacLochlainn, a member of The Real IRA, was killed during an attempted armed robbery of a Securicor van in Ashford, Co Wicklow in May 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"This would have encouraged recognition by its members of the need for accountability and real independence in an investigation," the report says, in addition to possibly prompting better records and systems being maintained, which "ensured that full and appropriate disclosure was made by the organisation and thereby minimised the potential for theories of wrongdoing to fester".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"These measures could have saved the family of Mr MacLochlainn the long ordeal of seeking answers that this process became,"</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> the report said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Michael McKevitt was very clear about what had transpired between Bertie Ahern and The Real IRA Leadership, post-Omagh, McKevitt said that an Amnesty had been offered to The Omagh Bombers and those who directed them in return for a cease-fire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Real IRA called a ‘cease-fire’ in September 1998 to consider Ahern’s offer, but concluded that the offer had only been made as the security forces and members of The Irish Government had prior knowledge of The Real IRA plan to bomb Omagh.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE:</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Bertie Ahern does not say that no deal was offered, simply that <b>no 'deal' was done</b>.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1999, when Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA in Belfast, murdered a young man, Charles Bennett, who had been Raped by a senior member of Sinn Fein/PIRA, Bertie Ahern said:<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Until there is an acceptable police force in Northern Ireland these things will continue to happen".</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here again we find Bertie Ahern reading from the same script, "Internal House-keeping", as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mo Mowlam, a script written by MI6. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA admitted after the Omagh Bomb, that it was only in the aftermath of the Omagh atrocity that they visited the homes of Real IRA members and directed them not to take any further explosives and weapons from their arms dumps, the dumps were already empty.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This post-Omagh act proving beyond doubt that Sinn Fein/PIRA were happy to use The Real IRA as Proxies, until that tactic literally blew-up in their face with the Omagh atrocity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Note: Sinn Féin is holding to its position that it will not encourage republicans to provide information to either An Garda Siochána or the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on who was responsible for the Omagh bombing four years ago (Gerry Moriarty, Irish Times, Fri, Aug 16, 2002).</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH9vkmizgaWm2i7gFcfxHmrbv5hPXNmasBVf3Dgok2mrzzQva6Zaqydteig1JkhhdGaiTdb6o2hJlwcQgFV9Bh_OUEivedu8kgoaWvXT5r1u5GDbAOcM7x5bCLNXbthEzn-Xe_MwR3bulV60JtV_-OrT4-u3fe-jgsutSpLxxAvdqUuJmP1x30Q/s985/bertieahernrejoinsfiannafail.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH9vkmizgaWm2i7gFcfxHmrbv5hPXNmasBVf3Dgok2mrzzQva6Zaqydteig1JkhhdGaiTdb6o2hJlwcQgFV9Bh_OUEivedu8kgoaWvXT5r1u5GDbAOcM7x5bCLNXbthEzn-Xe_MwR3bulV60JtV_-OrT4-u3fe-jgsutSpLxxAvdqUuJmP1x30Q/s320/bertieahernrejoinsfiannafail.webp" width="208" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Notes:</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> In 1991, the Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats program for government was reviewed. Bertie Ahern was a key player in these talks yet again. His involvement prompted Provisional IRA Gun-runner, Charles Haughey to remark of Ahern:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“He's the most skilful, the most devious, the most cunning of them all”.</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">During 1993, while he was Finance Minister, Ahern accepted payments of IR £39,000 from various businessmen, these were corrupt payments and confirmed as such to me by Paddy Reilly AKA Paddy the Plaster, who would appear before The Mahon Tribunal.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In July, 1997, Charles Haughey gave evidence to the McCracken Tribunal on corruption confirming that he had received IR£1.3 million (€1.7 million) in gifts from businessman Ben Dunne, which he had previously denied. This damaged Haughey's reputation beyond repair.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Earlier allegations resurfaced about Ahern's Foreign Minister, Ray Burke. Burke eventually admitted to receiving IR£30,000 (€38,000) in a corrupt payment and chose to resign. Arising from those two matters, the government established the Moriarty Tribunal and the Flood Tribunal.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Speaking at the 1916 Easter Rising commemoration at Arbour Hill in Dublin, in 1998, Ahern said:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“The British Government are effectively out of the equation and neither the British parliament nor people have any legal right under this agreement to impede the achievement of Irish unity if it had the consent of the people North and South...Our nation is and always will be a 32-county nation. Antrim and Down are, and will remain, as much a part of Ireland as any southern county”.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In this speech, Bertie Ahern again lies to the faithful, because he knows well that the British Government retains a veto over the constitutional future of Northern Ireland.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Background</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4GrjBC_D_TE5AwcR9RIQlgp2YMnTZeo5Xbkx_Kw9_EucS_frBA-fRvoQujtuI90CnC6qgg5H_f27LAbHjyMcXTDIuobd4btWCmA-Hduu9NGlj8v3scqH1Ck_zPjfY7SH1Lj_aZm_2FtneI-gLREhQQAj_5OHqrEku4J1KMeofRlbJyHuhmxdCQ/s454/MartinMcGuinness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="454" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4GrjBC_D_TE5AwcR9RIQlgp2YMnTZeo5Xbkx_Kw9_EucS_frBA-fRvoQujtuI90CnC6qgg5H_f27LAbHjyMcXTDIuobd4btWCmA-Hduu9NGlj8v3scqH1Ck_zPjfY7SH1Lj_aZm_2FtneI-gLREhQQAj_5OHqrEku4J1KMeofRlbJyHuhmxdCQ/s320/MartinMcGuinness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Martin McGuinness with Liam Adams opening new Sinn Fein Office in Dundalk when Martin knows that Liam has Raped 4-year-old Aine. Liam Adams would continue to be promoted within Sinn Fein/PIRA when his brother Gerry Adams MP knew Liam was a child rapist.</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4OGUuEL40ugdk7NG1DhPxMLzDbtIAyDrjUKu2fhlQ0hG8Tr23veYuxx8FeflQO3XszWLX59ybUEcsZF2BUO3nmd7znLkCbmbP7q_CLwCiFwKBSaPihjv4c2LtkeiL85CNIoLwI39FZGE1Q3sjTuq-xAFAgbZT2LpFti-OAX8XdzvhLVHlj7VSQ/s610/BrendaToalArmaghMonaghan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="610" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4OGUuEL40ugdk7NG1DhPxMLzDbtIAyDrjUKu2fhlQ0hG8Tr23veYuxx8FeflQO3XszWLX59ybUEcsZF2BUO3nmd7znLkCbmbP7q_CLwCiFwKBSaPihjv4c2LtkeiL85CNIoLwI39FZGE1Q3sjTuq-xAFAgbZT2LpFti-OAX8XdzvhLVHlj7VSQ/s320/BrendaToalArmaghMonaghan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Vincent McKenna, 17 years old, front-left carrying coffin to commemorate Death of PIRA hunger-striker, Kieran Doherty TD, 1981, Monaghan Town.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF86U57vUKv1BOMDHgg40XYL_GQ9aua6nRJtnWEQmvbkz2wpl6aSE9_FrUEHaHZdyR7YBzPrHnpDvzlmc4PEgd5_U9m4Nqj7CElTs8TQBdsDGdMw0-W7rObk7tEb9gQo3gI5oOa0YOV24X6PVo15XNwgAnvsdpZI5iwTBEjAcV_GT0T3G4HldfQ/s320/BodyCount.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF86U57vUKv1BOMDHgg40XYL_GQ9aua6nRJtnWEQmvbkz2wpl6aSE9_FrUEHaHZdyR7YBzPrHnpDvzlmc4PEgd5_U9m4Nqj7CElTs8TQBdsDGdMw0-W7rObk7tEb9gQo3gI5oOa0YOV24X6PVo15XNwgAnvsdpZI5iwTBEjAcV_GT0T3G4HldfQ/s1600/BodyCount.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">My Diary from 1986, while I worked in several roles within Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA, I was at all times answerable to my cousin PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna. I </span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">kept a detail record of all Murders, bombs, weapons finds and so forth for Kevin McKenna. In 1986, there was no Google, and so this diary was the only record available to Kevin McKenna as he directed hundreds of PIRA operations.</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsU05OccebAJA8BoIujDNV4Nx_6WGm4wM-_6eTFOmhAOVSvAxE_MoErC9ng3TePdvk_-QhxOm4ugs_IZdUXkTq6GSYqbEPDL1QbcA5bs9OtNXcdt1j6UkYOj4qCT5nModmWlo21ycAWCV7QQgCRxIt58puPF9na1lsEiuB4kHH6aNEGNCKBYF5A/s420/KevinMcKennaWanted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsU05OccebAJA8BoIujDNV4Nx_6WGm4wM-_6eTFOmhAOVSvAxE_MoErC9ng3TePdvk_-QhxOm4ugs_IZdUXkTq6GSYqbEPDL1QbcA5bs9OtNXcdt1j6UkYOj4qCT5nModmWlo21ycAWCV7QQgCRxIt58puPF9na1lsEiuB4kHH6aNEGNCKBYF5A/s320/KevinMcKennaWanted.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Wanted Poster 1981, highlighting Kevin McKenna.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1PU5B4R3oGp9jSxM2UL0bx1fkPGrsKiGJL_zEjKbXHS0XwtFJQ0xSmaoWblwBuOHC18jIbxFFVTHqF242tbQIhebLnXVIyE2ZDeguUpEbD96WMS-8MmeufJ-xqwmFmkeWz_DxClF1LZAUDjxu1ecDWwZToOjyqn01Ipj-p475o0MrA0w5YG9DA/s680/%23JohnHume1994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1PU5B4R3oGp9jSxM2UL0bx1fkPGrsKiGJL_zEjKbXHS0XwtFJQ0xSmaoWblwBuOHC18jIbxFFVTHqF242tbQIhebLnXVIyE2ZDeguUpEbD96WMS-8MmeufJ-xqwmFmkeWz_DxClF1LZAUDjxu1ecDWwZToOjyqn01Ipj-p475o0MrA0w5YG9DA/s320/%23JohnHume1994.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Me with John Hume 1994, many who now claim ownership of the 'peace-process' tried very hard to frustrate that process, and set out to undermine those of us who were trying to create a conversation around peace.</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKK_yK70kgwQXuM26WVomqGmIrTCH4Kup8Ao19EVnJ5i599QpL0uaI9qqy3fXeSVMBKGFQ5WrRuTEWiRRCY1kX2Xgty7AhotO-4UjY2tln9Exu8YJjetyuOybg6v-i8vHa_DHhCvESZnc2daYrKwDPuG9Fio7wZx1kssODXcJQaVtqCzndNAVaA/s1600/WilliamSmythPUP.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKK_yK70kgwQXuM26WVomqGmIrTCH4Kup8Ao19EVnJ5i599QpL0uaI9qqy3fXeSVMBKGFQ5WrRuTEWiRRCY1kX2Xgty7AhotO-4UjY2tln9Exu8YJjetyuOybg6v-i8vHa_DHhCvESZnc2daYrKwDPuG9Fio7wZx1kssODXcJQaVtqCzndNAVaA/s320/WilliamSmythPUP.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">I, began the public conversation about Political Prisoners when most were afraid to touch the subject, yet it was a subject that would be at the core of making a 'peace-process' that would have some chance of success. Vincent McKenna, William Smyth UVF and Barry McElduff PIRA.</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8Z8c3I1kPDCd7IEITyJNbx8AWA9cCFkJadwJgf5-Gje1itr3Pg1od9UJK5kQse9OVRKM_nF2eZ42FvSkZ7L4nn4zD7l6Mndkf_ZhaVIxSHivffGjvoZc2ATdCODDwS2yYPxkyfvzGgW86Cs--mdEqKK-SVABIcTJXWYrBnAu4MbgLXrgxGAwlg/s1600/Gerry%20Adams%20letter%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8Z8c3I1kPDCd7IEITyJNbx8AWA9cCFkJadwJgf5-Gje1itr3Pg1od9UJK5kQse9OVRKM_nF2eZ42FvSkZ7L4nn4zD7l6Mndkf_ZhaVIxSHivffGjvoZc2ATdCODDwS2yYPxkyfvzGgW86Cs--mdEqKK-SVABIcTJXWYrBnAu4MbgLXrgxGAwlg/s320/Gerry%20Adams%20letter%20(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Letter from Gerry Adams to me in 1994, when students led by me had run from Belfast to Dublin and had delivered a 'Peace Petition' to Gerry Adams at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Dublin.</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The fact that 13,000 students at Queens University Belfast had delivered a 'Peace Petition' to the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership, was viewed as very helpful to those within Sinn Fein/PIRA who wanted to surrender the Provisional IRA, this particularly so when we remember that Peoples Democracy had been established at QUB by Bernadette McAliskey (nee Devlin) in 1968.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6pPaC9xFXuIyQ6zqOxq-0LH-z3Y15iuppgEAU_xBcG6HtTbDTR6ZuiTfkEnU7zAOLWSfbK0K00Rvh8moRXL16DyfBMxfHFVJzmQXYKk4YPpKS6uEx7YTspzlWTKgoAFnhxKz5rzLJreu8e92C1RhNX_RKFJpj3vrmOZPjKOH7GA2uMdN8hWdyg/s3648/DSCF1539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6pPaC9xFXuIyQ6zqOxq-0LH-z3Y15iuppgEAU_xBcG6HtTbDTR6ZuiTfkEnU7zAOLWSfbK0K00Rvh8moRXL16DyfBMxfHFVJzmQXYKk4YPpKS6uEx7YTspzlWTKgoAFnhxKz5rzLJreu8e92C1RhNX_RKFJpj3vrmOZPjKOH7GA2uMdN8hWdyg/s320/DSCF1539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Deirdre McAliskey, daughter of Bernadette Devlin, signing 'Peace Petition' at QUB.</b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The key focus of my work up until the end of 1997 was pushing the public conversation about a 'peace-process', without preparing the public with this discourse it would have been virtually impossible to thrust upon the public a Referendum on any agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Letter: 2nd October 1997</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">, from Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam to me: This letter is 8 Days before PIRA Army Convention in Falcarragh, County Donegal:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you for all your hard work, an agreement is much closer now due to your efforts, I wish you, Gerry and Martin well for the 10th”. <b>NIO Ref: McKenna/BB</b></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I was not a delegate for the 1997 PIRA Convention in Donegal, I was a driver for a senior member of The PIRA. While we waited for others, I asked him to explain how The Convention would work and the possible outcomes. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mAdAhFe9XnWN7ZY6pthvYGHTVOMNb3FI7sWP706Orp2D2ASYTB9p_kxNu2N0lGVJn8Uq3GY9FccQo1rpj2p1LkIGK0cZYEcnR72jfA-gg3GQUepFLpA-zqcwBAVraG__Sei5MNC-Z-Ru1h2pZv-qIS1OrMK66fK-nFOse1rTdKHmju0RRv8caQ/s320/ProvisionalIRAconvention1997-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mAdAhFe9XnWN7ZY6pthvYGHTVOMNb3FI7sWP706Orp2D2ASYTB9p_kxNu2N0lGVJn8Uq3GY9FccQo1rpj2p1LkIGK0cZYEcnR72jfA-gg3GQUepFLpA-zqcwBAVraG__Sei5MNC-Z-Ru1h2pZv-qIS1OrMK66fK-nFOse1rTdKHmju0RRv8caQ/s1600/ProvisionalIRAconvention1997-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9994-CBtwcwdsSZiqaLNBcK-QorrY5I_8UpMVB_Th_pEt9frMRlv5keFQ7CpjlTqyjNpK8NWZx6kKsQkrp_a5vFcx-pKpoPn_AAtVdbVYWWMLvv6vFwSeElui6Lm7zRtbf4xVBbcGtUlFRDJ0U-ptRWF24XrUzvKCWBsSePmegZmnf_EZqX-OA/s320/ProvisionalIRAconvention1997-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9994-CBtwcwdsSZiqaLNBcK-QorrY5I_8UpMVB_Th_pEt9frMRlv5keFQ7CpjlTqyjNpK8NWZx6kKsQkrp_a5vFcx-pKpoPn_AAtVdbVYWWMLvv6vFwSeElui6Lm7zRtbf4xVBbcGtUlFRDJ0U-ptRWF24XrUzvKCWBsSePmegZmnf_EZqX-OA/s1600/ProvisionalIRAconvention1997-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUgnjAsKUmfV8xnUSNhVhVjIQUa2GOywB7DhOm6ufgtcQNKKRWAkNX_Ck5vhA6ZsZ0mwicx3whhRyJ3bzz8Qr6gkvDLeqhV6s6A-sktZs0SGQrCrGWVSYYkseTwBdjGZO6_RfGMnf7gTWEDGf-euZIrvxgJIVbuTC3OjRuP_TBGPKjrwqLTaI0A/s320/Provisionaliraconvention1997-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUgnjAsKUmfV8xnUSNhVhVjIQUa2GOywB7DhOm6ufgtcQNKKRWAkNX_Ck5vhA6ZsZ0mwicx3whhRyJ3bzz8Qr6gkvDLeqhV6s6A-sktZs0SGQrCrGWVSYYkseTwBdjGZO6_RfGMnf7gTWEDGf-euZIrvxgJIVbuTC3OjRuP_TBGPKjrwqLTaI0A/s1600/Provisionaliraconvention1997-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It should be noted that Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and I, had very different reasons for wanting to surrender the PIRA. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Gerry Adams wanted The PIRA to stand down as he could see a political opportunity that would not come again. Gerry knew that if The PIRA continued then they would be subject to an intensified effort by The SAS and would be reduced to dust. Sadly, Gerry Adams would have no problem allowing Sinn Fein/PIRA to take iron fist control of the areas in which they had significant numbers, this included silencing rape victims.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Martin McGuinness wanted to surrender The PIRA as he wanted to please his MI6 Masters, who had groomed him over decades, the evidence that I have gathered show McGuinness being an Agent for MI6 since 1986, however, others have suggested he was an Agent from the 1970s.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I wanted The PIRA surrendered, because I had believed for a very long time that they were nothing more than gangland criminals masquerading as Freedom Fighters. I believed that if we could surrender The PIRA, then Sinn Fein could play a role in the democratic processes of the Island of Ireland. I knew that the Provisional IRA Army Council would always be the Supreme Ruling Authority over Sinn Fein/PIRA, however, that did not necessarily mean overt violence.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following the PIRA Convention in Oct 1997, which was attended by Kevin McKenna, Hensey McKenna (south Derry), Brendan McKenna (south Derry) Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, Michael McKevitt, Bernadette McKevitt, Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Pat Doherty, Martin Ferris, Pat Treanor, Joe Cahill and so forth, Michael McKevitt, Seamus McGrane and a handful of others founded The Real IRA in a shed outside Oldcastle in County Meath.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On the 5 of November, 1997, I meet with leading members of The PIRA in Belfast and Mid-Ulster to establish how much support there was for Michael McKevitt and what would become the Real IRA. It was clear that Mid-Ulster was going to be a problem. I was still the runner between Martin McGuinness and PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is fair to say that by November 1997, I had a very clear view of where the Real IRA were going to draw their support. My cousin Seamus McKenna who was based in County Louth, and who had extreme loyalty to me as I had taken care of his brother Sean McKenna, when Sean was released from Long Kesh, told me that the PIRA were allowing McKevitt to empty PIRA arms dumps.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When Seamus McKenna told me that The PIRA leadership, namely Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness were allowing McKevitt to empty PIRA Arms Dumps, I went immediately to Monaghan and asked Kevin McKenna if he was allowing McKevitt to empty PIRA Arms Dumps.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin McKenna asked me to drive him to County Meath, where we meet with Michael McKevitt and Seamus McGrane in a shed outside Oldcastle. Kevin McKenna asked Michael and Seamus to give Adams an opportunity to deliver and if he did not it would not be difficult to go back to full-scale attacks. Michael and Seamus made it clear that they were setting up their own organisation.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When Kevin and I left the meeting with Michael and Seamus, I believe they meet others at a another shed near-by and formed the Real IRA. I asked Kevin, what he intended doing about Michael McKevitt taking Provisional IRA explosives, weapons and ammunition to which he replied:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“The odd bomb going off here and there will keep Unionists focused on working with the ‘Doves’”.</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following this admission by Kevin McKenna, which was confirmed by Martin McGuinness, I went to war against Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA due to their duplicity, and this war is set out below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I had worked long and hard to deliver a peace process and I was not prepared to support an arrangement that would facilitate continued acts of terrorism. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I had supported Gerry Adams faithfully, and this included Gerrymandering the 1986 Ard Fheis with such success, that Joe Cahill asked me to write an article for An Phoblacht supporting our policy change on abstentionism and try to reduce the number of members we would lose to Republican Sinn Fein/Continuity IRA. </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Gerrymandering the 1986 Ard Fheis meant creating Cumann that existed on paper only, but had voting rights on the floor of the</span> 1986 Ard Fheis. For example, Hensey McKenna (died 2023) voted from the Ard Fheis floor on behalf of a Cumann that existed on paper only.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uvvynUaOMiwuI2hVqwraqeA0nkUc_97-rGnD6Q7-pKfhG2n98PVhX-88ziEPl_FgenkRKJulThUl2LyC5_4PuAy6yWWESxOE97OwMY2CESgjQCN_Tt1fhRKHyxMJdIKPACph_DjmNizfM_lpHNkhRGlXDwi47PZWJ1HFYEV03MOx26tz9Xls8w/s3648/Letter3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uvvynUaOMiwuI2hVqwraqeA0nkUc_97-rGnD6Q7-pKfhG2n98PVhX-88ziEPl_FgenkRKJulThUl2LyC5_4PuAy6yWWESxOE97OwMY2CESgjQCN_Tt1fhRKHyxMJdIKPACph_DjmNizfM_lpHNkhRGlXDwi47PZWJ1HFYEV03MOx26tz9Xls8w/s320/Letter3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The War on Duplicity</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I decided to take Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA to task on their adopted tactic of manufacturing opposition to Loyal Order parades. I carried out a Survey on the Ormeau Road, February, 1998, to establish the true feelings of local residents in relation to Loyal Order parades.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This extensive survey found that 80% of Nationalists would accept Loyal Order parades if certain minimal conditions were in place. The survey also exposed the fact that Sinn Fein/PIRA did not represent the views of the local population in relation to Loyal Order parades.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following the widely publicised findings of the survey, Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA were fully exposed for manufacturing sectarian tensions that were resulting in extreme violence and murder. I immediately came under sustained attack by Sinn Fein/PIRA personnel, with whom, only a few weeks earlier, I was sharing the same pot of tea.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In fact, I had been so trusted by Martin McGuinness in the mid-1990s, that Martin wanted me to travel to London with him and the Sinn Fein/PIRA talks team. However, I declined, as I was working closely with senior loyalists and helping them on their journey to peace. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGQ6ANwGaH8Pbc0M3ZioO51zZVG48DVKtRtboYvI9B-mTz9wAXjZIGiDal4hgZ88rzGoKeuPWVTQONpz7R857GQXMlxCCxillDxhHhm_rwVx-moTPSLPDOgszNLjJxUym8X-bVYk3zR6GsBLwtqQm3WLKonH-0RQDfTl26DAGMzXhCXIGXNS9qw/s680/EoinOBroinTD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="680" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGQ6ANwGaH8Pbc0M3ZioO51zZVG48DVKtRtboYvI9B-mTz9wAXjZIGiDal4hgZ88rzGoKeuPWVTQONpz7R857GQXMlxCCxillDxhHhm_rwVx-moTPSLPDOgszNLjJxUym8X-bVYk3zR6GsBLwtqQm3WLKonH-0RQDfTl26DAGMzXhCXIGXNS9qw/s320/EoinOBroinTD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I recommend Eoin O'Broin for the talks team, Eoin and I had attended Sinn Fein/PIRA meetings together in Belfast from 1994, when I met Eoin at Queens University Belfast. Eoin was accepted on my recommendation, although he had to get his dreadlocks cut.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Bd0eYQpPk5nsOUNF2bdbFRHMxnqJqdfjpCZvHIzYA4qAfxetSUz8A_g8ZxjUDWP4CJ9lo-Jab-i1TfOpGGrPfloKAg0GCL6qWbKX0GLdz5u49gTuOTGoZpVRTlRIwO_t3iOylexEY8Rq7L4FL3ADv-heXX82aRCBovJx-2IRzZebK7hgKWS9Q/s3648/DSCF1187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Bd0eYQpPk5nsOUNF2bdbFRHMxnqJqdfjpCZvHIzYA4qAfxetSUz8A_g8ZxjUDWP4CJ9lo-Jab-i1TfOpGGrPfloKAg0GCL6qWbKX0GLdz5u49gTuOTGoZpVRTlRIwO_t3iOylexEY8Rq7L4FL3ADv-heXX82aRCBovJx-2IRzZebK7hgKWS9Q/s320/DSCF1187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I had absolutely no contact, at this time, with the Labour Party and Conservative Party MPs who raised the threats against me in Westminster, the threat against me was based on RUC Intelligence received from their Agents and Informers within the PIRA in Belfast including Dennis Donaldson, later shot dead having been exposed as an Informer. <a href="https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/15339/death-threat-to-vincent-mckenna"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">Threats Raised at Westminster 1998</span></a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyy2Qrl7tHAPAPtkpCS-0RF2547hgVpZ74CzlP3SIu2rQFi5HL-bmXrGnN-Y1q76Ve56q8EneDTNehYaCua8Yfov_fmxmJG3_L3K4Hg8EFQXq4lTDi2QZDte1aFD_QeSN07Y6epCgzUNxKV81W3Lvz4_Jy8pIii09jEqyuuOMSy69YfA9vIs1vA/s3648/DSCF1346.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyy2Qrl7tHAPAPtkpCS-0RF2547hgVpZ74CzlP3SIu2rQFi5HL-bmXrGnN-Y1q76Ve56q8EneDTNehYaCua8Yfov_fmxmJG3_L3K4Hg8EFQXq4lTDi2QZDte1aFD_QeSN07Y6epCgzUNxKV81W3Lvz4_Jy8pIii09jEqyuuOMSy69YfA9vIs1vA/s320/DSCF1346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In February, 1998, absolutely no allegation of a sexual nature had ever been made against me, I was talking to my ex-wife and children every day. Following the high-profile campaign against me by Sinn Fein/PIRA for exposing their duplicity, my ex-wife told me that she was being put under pressure by her employer, Dr Marian Smyth, who had a child to PIRA protected child-rapist and serial killer, Michael 'Pete' Ryan. My ex-wife was a cleaner and part-time secretary for Dr Smyth, and was in a precarious position, as she was being paid cash by Dr Smyth while collecting social welfare payments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I told my ex-wife that I had a job to do and I could not stop as people were going to die, I apologised for the fact that she was being put under pressure, but I told her it would blow over. My ex-wife had previously been harassed in 1994 by a member of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan (that member being an Informer, wife beater and Pedophile) however, I had contacted Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin in 1994 and that threat had been addressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This threat in 1994, had come about after my 'peace run' from Belfast to the Sinn Fein/PIRA Ard Fheis in Dublin, which was part of the process of creating a public conversation about peace, this would not have been understood by Sinn Fein/PIRA foot-soldiers who had no clue that the PIRA were about to surrender.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm3E2M1tHPo5Um7Gz8K321_NFKcS1yoS5yO9Py07AKhU_yCfligXFTx_lYhaTm7Jt1ApiHjhf3oGBJ4Krh5ULioGRHawQ345mzmaBM-gbOmMB_WVAatTAOouAOO8swHzqGOrzcy9dVmHYN5AgojgxvIm9ehg3I_gJv9vT4BwpG_ASbZ93nijn6g/s1600/Gerry%20Adams%20letter%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm3E2M1tHPo5Um7Gz8K321_NFKcS1yoS5yO9Py07AKhU_yCfligXFTx_lYhaTm7Jt1ApiHjhf3oGBJ4Krh5ULioGRHawQ345mzmaBM-gbOmMB_WVAatTAOouAOO8swHzqGOrzcy9dVmHYN5AgojgxvIm9ehg3I_gJv9vT4BwpG_ASbZ93nijn6g/s320/Gerry%20Adams%20letter%20(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1995, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin contacted me to ask if I would vote for him as my name was still on the electoral register in Monaghan. I travelled to Monaghan at my own expense and voted for Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and I acknowledged his brother Fintan when I came out of the Polling Station at Saint Louis Convent. In 1998, I was not going to ask Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin to intervene as it would have simply compromised my position, Caoimhghín would have wanted me to stand down.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As Sinn Fein/PIRA continued with their campaign against me, I gave an exclusive front-page interview to Liam Clarke, Sunday Times, in which I explained the Policy of Ethnic Cleansing being pursued by Sinn Fein/PIRA since 1986. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">At this point in 1998, the newly elected PIRA Chief of Staff, Thomas 'Slab' Murphy had brought a Civil Action against The Sunday Times for describing him as Chief of Staff, I would also be a witness against Thomas 'Slab' Murphy in this very important case, however, that was never public knowledge.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">At the beginning of each year Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin would give me a new diary, and in this 1986 Diary, I noted the day that Martin McGuinness was arrested by Gardai in Smithborough, Monaghan, as Martin left a meeting with Kevin McKenna, at which Martin McGuinness sanctioned an official policy of Ethnic Cleansing. While Gardai were preparing to charge Martin McGuinness with Provisional IRA membership, MI6 contacted Garda HQ and sought Martin's release without charge, which was granted.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">It would not be unfair to say that this official policy of Ethnic Cleansing sanctioned by the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership in 1986, was not out of step with the New British Policy of Ulsterisation/Normalisation, that would place the RUC and UDR in the frontline against The PIRA and reducing the number of British Military being returned to England in body-bags and the negative domestic publicly generated by such murders.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbRx-RbGizh0emoi8TgCbrOhV58llbU5mE_HrCaNlPXniAGVqe4aO9pfZt7oIcV6jDy6ZO166LdA4y5beC3RyqotaksWDA0bkUZBOeSHIxrGY8anSVVKo4cEFV5chgsCun7iGW7-JiaiBOYFQfdFjhkJxrH2qOpS9l987PRTPifHnD6KgXhpA3A/s320/diary1986.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbRx-RbGizh0emoi8TgCbrOhV58llbU5mE_HrCaNlPXniAGVqe4aO9pfZt7oIcV6jDy6ZO166LdA4y5beC3RyqotaksWDA0bkUZBOeSHIxrGY8anSVVKo4cEFV5chgsCun7iGW7-JiaiBOYFQfdFjhkJxrH2qOpS9l987PRTPifHnD6KgXhpA3A/s1600/diary1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDrM3R9uj1hqedPKjxcXHcPuWxHbfSg-9BUsInKhvk6CUzZwtZjlNOux_aoPef1PBYi0jj_44Pvo8roC1dlG4vOvTSg-hAdYOdQ5o5zJQz1g8s33fZtN-hRvdePvRXIVuGJAeigP3_OI1HAzyaFPD3wDr_sTDchM87jhs-IE7g69ByJw7tgvRNA/s3648/DSCF1697.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDrM3R9uj1hqedPKjxcXHcPuWxHbfSg-9BUsInKhvk6CUzZwtZjlNOux_aoPef1PBYi0jj_44Pvo8roC1dlG4vOvTSg-hAdYOdQ5o5zJQz1g8s33fZtN-hRvdePvRXIVuGJAeigP3_OI1HAzyaFPD3wDr_sTDchM87jhs-IE7g69ByJw7tgvRNA/s320/DSCF1697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">My interview with The Sunday Times, March, 1998, simply covered information that was already in the public domain, however, as I had been associated with the most senior members of Sinn Fein/PIRA including Kevin McKenna, Martin McGuinness, Joe Cahill, Jim Lynagh, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and so forth, my interview with Liam Clarke was viewed as treachery. The Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Leadership were also concerned that I might turn State's evidence against them, which was never my intention.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOQgb1FNUesJpWrabVis629XXBjOPAdyj4-binP2FpCCFIRRtFuVEKQOoOM9PB4NOJwghvGe1en_H00Dggb8Dud8JffU6z2IFfmeYpW6OKzJBYZ_LO4wVWuDQPj_d-gs9udfUFaeylrhQReOmzX7iRYIf0za9b6_nlrbX18CNjadmeg3Icsh_fw/s3648/DSCF1108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOQgb1FNUesJpWrabVis629XXBjOPAdyj4-binP2FpCCFIRRtFuVEKQOoOM9PB4NOJwghvGe1en_H00Dggb8Dud8JffU6z2IFfmeYpW6OKzJBYZ_LO4wVWuDQPj_d-gs9udfUFaeylrhQReOmzX7iRYIf0za9b6_nlrbX18CNjadmeg3Icsh_fw/s320/DSCF1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following my interview with The Sunday Times, conversations with my ex-wife became strained, she said she was being put under extreme pressure by Dr Marian Smyth and Owen Smyth. I continued to travel to Monaghan Town each week to collect my children, and I told my ex-wife that I had to do my work or people would die.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On the 17 April, 1998, I arrived at the car park of The Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan Town, I had been invited to a wedding, it was very late in the evening. I seen my-ex-wife outside the front door of the hotel, she was very drunk. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TKrSutCogbBdqlGMTRConP3wg8TVBZK1tilnLeDyEWIasU6S6b46jBsXykbTw_NO9nhaigGE6-6wy9VDB8IpqjmGyjBa0hLwXNG7weMLINLOENkJSdDl29FWMQQADzOehEJjvDbFSssPU4Yi0F3ow3dUCk5eYeiHrh_-IN8c7IVWCWy05VMSgw/s320/FionaRoloMcCleary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TKrSutCogbBdqlGMTRConP3wg8TVBZK1tilnLeDyEWIasU6S6b46jBsXykbTw_NO9nhaigGE6-6wy9VDB8IpqjmGyjBa0hLwXNG7weMLINLOENkJSdDl29FWMQQADzOehEJjvDbFSssPU4Yi0F3ow3dUCk5eYeiHrh_-IN8c7IVWCWy05VMSgw/s1600/FionaRoloMcCleary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Fiona McCleary, 17th April, 1998, Four Seasons Hotel</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I spoke to my ex-wife, she told me she was being put under extreme pressure to do me harm, she said that Owen Smyth and Marian Smyth were putting her under pressure to help them to do something to discredit me. My ex-wife was not making much sense so I got back in the car and went back to Belfast.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We know that on the 18 April, 1998, my ex-wife continued on her drunken binge and teamed up with Blackmailer, Carmel Mulhall (nee, Gallagher) who had been threatened with imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney, at The Central Criminal Court, when Mulhall had tried to Blackmail an innocent man for £10,000 by falsely accusing him of Rape. Judge Carney said he would have sent Carmel Mulhall to prison if it were not for the number of children that she had to several different men.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Both women had when I was 16-years-old sexually assaulted me on different occasions, however, in 1980 when women sexually assaulted a male child, it was not treated seriously, young boys sexually assaulted by women were simply expected to man-up.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This collaboration between my ex-wife and Blackmailer, Carmel Mulhall, would be the planned catalyst to force the alleged complainant in DPP v Vincent McKenna to make a non-descript complaint of abuse against me to Dr Marian Smyth. This non-descript complaint would then be used in a Blackmail attempt.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On Thursday, 23 April, 1998, I received a phone call to inform me that my 22-year-old cousin Jimmy had just been found dead in north Belfast, I was devastated. At exactly the same time as I took the call relating to Jimmy's death, the postman dropped a letter in the post-box.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When I opened the letter, it was from The North Eastern Health Board in Monaghan Town, the letter was one-line, "Can you contact us at your earliest convenience". I simply assumed the letter was related to my petition for Divorce, against my ex-wife, that was before The High Court in Belfast the following Monday 27 April 1998.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I had never went through the process of divorce before and I simply thought the letter related to formal arrangements for the children, which had already been agreed in High Court papers between my wife and I.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">At my trial in 2000, my ex-wife would swear on Oath that she had Divorced me, that, like all else, was a comprehensive lie, but deliberately used to paint a dark caricature of my person.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp6CeJEaxEN6wocN_PYUc0XCmmaPkVtj_4uoqTGVOxMw3hnMUzyOE6lG55CYCP_pAROvtkNBE-qcAxdeOsMETzVeM8NjkNyP0jcdQyqzj27V-5yhnGu0Y9wyVOoEIPcGPNHalo-fLM_383d2d0YlPCazkbpQJdtVL46kgWpWDDV4JZibEYoGPEQ/s320/Divorcepapers1998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp6CeJEaxEN6wocN_PYUc0XCmmaPkVtj_4uoqTGVOxMw3hnMUzyOE6lG55CYCP_pAROvtkNBE-qcAxdeOsMETzVeM8NjkNyP0jcdQyqzj27V-5yhnGu0Y9wyVOoEIPcGPNHalo-fLM_383d2d0YlPCazkbpQJdtVL46kgWpWDDV4JZibEYoGPEQ/s1600/Divorcepapers1998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I immediately phoned my ex-wife, 23 April, 1998, and told her about my cousin Jimmy and asked her about the letter from the NEHB. My ex-wife had no explanation for the letter from The NEHB and so I thought it was not important. At this time, I recorded all of my phone calls as I was receiving death threats on a regular basis.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I was also at this time involved in significant matters, those significant matters when concluded ensured that many lives were saved and the 'peace-process' prevailed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When my cousin Jimmy was buried, I went before The High Court in Belfast on 27 April, 1998, to deal with my petition for Divorce. While my ex-wife and I had agreed to everything in the Divorce petition, including arrangements for the children and to keep the house in both our names so that we could borrow against it in the future for the children's education, my ex-wife had sent a letter to the High Court asking for the house. The Judge said he would ignore the letter as it appeared to be malicious.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When I returned home from The High Court, I immediately phoned my ex-wife to tell her that the Divorce had been granted to me. I asked my ex-wife about the letter she had sent to The High Court, only now did I realise that my ex-wife was angry about the Divorce and the fact that according to her I was, "Playing Happy Families". Which was bizarre, as my ex-wife and I had attended marriage guidance classes in Armagh in 1992/93, and without being indiscreet she had chosen a different path.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This different path fully exposed in a suicide note, left by a member of Sinn Fein/PIRA, in Monaghan Town in 1994 when he had shot himself with a double-barrel shotgun but survived. I gave the suicide note (which was one of three suicide notes) to Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, my ex-wife disclosed in 1998 that the letter from The NEHB related to an allegation of sexual abuse made against me by my eldest daughter who was 17 years-old at that time. My ex-wife told me that if I tried to contact the complainant I would be arrested for harassment and that I needed to speak to the NEHB. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Interestingly, no actual allegation had been made at this time, but we do know that the alleged victim had been drugged with an unlicensed mind-altering drug, Seroxat, by Dr Marian Smyth, who had a child outside her marriage with protected child-rapist and PIRA serial killer, Michael 'Pete' Ryan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">At this point the allegations were already in the public domain and being used to discredit my work in Belfast, the language being used on the internet by Sinn Fein/PIRA in relation to the complainant was perverse, they simply used her as they had used thousands of women and children before.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I made dozens of calls to The NEHB over the following days, but the Social Worker who was in charge of the case refused to speak with me or arrange a meeting which was protocol, of course I learned terms like protocol much later. It would later transpire that the Social Worker was socialising with my ex-wife. The Social Worker was removed from the case, but it was too late.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The only saving grace was that on the 7 May, 1998, my ex-wife phoned my house in Belfast and told my Fiancée that, <b>"All that has been said is lies, but it has all gone too far"</b>. It was on 7 May, 1998, that I had sought advice from my Solicitor as nobody would meet with me. My only concern was the complainant, who had stayed with me on her own only a few weeks earlier for two weeks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This picture shows the Complainant, Sorcha McKenna (AKA Sorcha McGuinness - Sorcha McPhilips) attending my Graduation, at her own invitation, at Queens University, Belfast, in 1996. The Complainant would swear on Oath that at exactly the same time she was attending my Graduation in 1996, she was actually in Monaghan Town and writing an 1100 word Diary entry claiming to have been abused by me, and that her mother knew nothing about the alleged abuse in 1996. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Yet, the only corroborating evidence given against me in Court was my ex-wife swearing on Oath that she had known about the alleged abuse from 1990.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-TiPZ2ulHXEfACJnVeg4G_vYlRFHhrP-AHCWfawqBKsGGTJGhQLV4lca86p0nYHB66C9276V5-mfST66LqTn8zg_N9aEy7zsCy5PmQ3tM_O0CFFGZ-wTw84KFThuI1PycYVHAuvbH2avpcOpto-eEeDBKCrmXA28bKrlDrXtxk7Bzb8xgGaNtQ/s3648/DSCF1393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-TiPZ2ulHXEfACJnVeg4G_vYlRFHhrP-AHCWfawqBKsGGTJGhQLV4lca86p0nYHB66C9276V5-mfST66LqTn8zg_N9aEy7zsCy5PmQ3tM_O0CFFGZ-wTw84KFThuI1PycYVHAuvbH2avpcOpto-eEeDBKCrmXA28bKrlDrXtxk7Bzb8xgGaNtQ/s320/DSCF1393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bizarrely, while the complainant had stayed with me on dozens of occasions on her own in Northern Ireland, she made no allegations in relation to Northern Ireland. When asked under Oath why she had stayed with me on her own between 1992-95, she said to protect children that I had in another relationship, in fact there were no other children 1992-1995.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sinn Fein/PIRA offered me the opportunity to walk away from the allegations if I would stand down, however, I declined their offer. PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, was anxious that I stand down, he had known me from when I was a child, he said:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"We know you have the character to stand up to The IRA, but you also have to have the wisdom to stand down".</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bizarrely, as Sinn Fein/PIRA were persecuting me, I was, in another role, responsible for preventing the murder of many of their leading lights in Belfast. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are people alive and well who know that I prevented the assassination of senior Sinn Fein/PIRA personnel who would be key in delivering the 'peace-process'.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, I would learn that the complainant had been drugged with an unlicensed mind-altering drug by Dr Marian Smyth, who had a child to protected child-rapist and PIRA Serial Killer, Michael ‘Pete’ Ryan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>This case DPP v Vincent McKenna is back before The Court of Criminal Appeal in 2023.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Why Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA manufactured opposition to Loyal Order Parades</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following The PIRA ‘cease-fire’ of August, 1994, The Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership needed to adopt various tactics to occupy their rank-and-file members, or those rank-and-file members might start to ask what it was they had achieved.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The tactics adopted such re-opening border roads, release of prisoners and de-militarisation, happened or begun to happen, at a much faster pace than anticipated. This fast pace of change meant that the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership needed a tactic with some longevity, and one that would fit with the long-term Policy of Ethnic Cleansing.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOy7T5IYC7Q7qZXJ6bb7SF7fusuFVz5lC6bPAS0B3FOIofzKF3orAjmormEGFowIFf6yxT2H8UDwJHsHnNZXLR_YYg0GNuoEjRBwYxwo39LO5mGxr5fVU2K2IzRKjdk2ZD9DIlPiKjMIy7Lu129f0YuWy0e-hFvbsEVnT-gM_KfMa4qQEFeipvA/s320/openingborderroads1990s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOy7T5IYC7Q7qZXJ6bb7SF7fusuFVz5lC6bPAS0B3FOIofzKF3orAjmormEGFowIFf6yxT2H8UDwJHsHnNZXLR_YYg0GNuoEjRBwYxwo39LO5mGxr5fVU2K2IzRKjdk2ZD9DIlPiKjMIy7Lu129f0YuWy0e-hFvbsEVnT-gM_KfMa4qQEFeipvA/s1600/openingborderroads1990s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Fergie O'Neil leads the campaign to open border roads in Monaghan</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The decision was taken to manufacture opposition to Loyal Order Parades across Northern Ireland, this tactic would serve several purposes, it would be a tactic with longevity, it would occupy the rank and file and it could be used in various areas to drive out remaining Protestant communities. In places such as the Ormeau Road, the last vestiges of Protestantism such as the Cricket Club would be burned down by Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As early as 1995 I had argued, within Sinn Fein/PIRA, against adopting this tactic, as I believed that it would simply cause opposition to the ‘peace-process’ and fill the ranks of those who may wish to undermine the push for ‘peace’. I even argued that such a tactic with such longevity would play into the British narrative that Northern Ireland was simply a conflict between two sectarian tribes, a narrative that Sinn Fein/PIRA had rejected for decades.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The tactic was adopted, Sinn Fein/PIRA personnel, mainly former PIRA prisoners, were selected to lead the campaign in various geographical locations. Gerry Adams championed the tactic in a speech in 1996 in Athboy in County Meath, a speech that was heard by only Sinn Fein/PIRA supporters and their proxies in the media.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms3VXMn5XMLP4spFcpTFVFhzjvp-Sz6saW8pwYTM_1fwGHENROAIzj6lzvDp5MMYUXBgRU0rlb0YJFnRvdAA8_wr2evI1s_aBxr7B39iLY0RuhejfQyXpEhH0JOHXD_9w37JclTyK05QZ9JIauv-7fv-s03Cldrh444OlCPN6tgqEo2Ub4CyhCA/s3648/DSCF1187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms3VXMn5XMLP4spFcpTFVFhzjvp-Sz6saW8pwYTM_1fwGHENROAIzj6lzvDp5MMYUXBgRU0rlb0YJFnRvdAA8_wr2evI1s_aBxr7B39iLY0RuhejfQyXpEhH0JOHXD_9w37JclTyK05QZ9JIauv-7fv-s03Cldrh444OlCPN6tgqEo2Ub4CyhCA/s320/DSCF1187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Even when it was clear that opposition to Loyal Order parades was being manufactured and was not organic, journalists who knew that it was a Sinn Fein/PIRA tactic, pointed at the alleged intransigence of the Loyal Orders.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Loyal Orders were an easy target for propaganda, the parades issue was quickly high-jacked by extremists such as The Loyalist Volunteer Force, and moderate voices within the Loyal Orders were drowned out. Sinn Fein/PIRA once again presented themselves as the victims in a modern conflict, that they had again manufactured.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0hN-MHLMnHCkqJxyHiYpEtkGwt3Yw8_zYuh9og-VOOQdaV9r8mgr_ac-Iq_2P29Dlv7HLGmiJGjwF0kXeK4skNWp6EHKIuXQvjoR5IvSYG3b3z3AJxVI7KxpLQIxF_QoCZR1C5soRyEKwP5qWd_F27X4ajnkrXLJLFM8DQOszNbRsTgjWqxcEQ/s3648/DSCF1186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0hN-MHLMnHCkqJxyHiYpEtkGwt3Yw8_zYuh9og-VOOQdaV9r8mgr_ac-Iq_2P29Dlv7HLGmiJGjwF0kXeK4skNWp6EHKIuXQvjoR5IvSYG3b3z3AJxVI7KxpLQIxF_QoCZR1C5soRyEKwP5qWd_F27X4ajnkrXLJLFM8DQOszNbRsTgjWqxcEQ/s320/DSCF1186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As Gerry Adams and the Leaders of Sinn Fein/PIRA sat comfortably behind the bulletproof glass in their homes, which was provided for them by The British Government, innocent Catholics such as Michael McGoldrick were murdered as they done an honest day’s work. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHvJNZvdRspkHJHoq8oWq43ibBIxlORaO20py24_S2d-1uaYur4HhQ8JLTNnt3lBkC1shSgoZag78A-Knk7etEAiNj8zOuCy6UZ45UN91Tutx-Q4wfZqYQ_DO8J7f2fDULrD_WdTuGwNwWrob2i2H75pGVV2DnQgLXx4gH9N_LGK0MIXD1E_j6g/s3648/vincentmckenna%20001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHvJNZvdRspkHJHoq8oWq43ibBIxlORaO20py24_S2d-1uaYur4HhQ8JLTNnt3lBkC1shSgoZag78A-Knk7etEAiNj8zOuCy6UZ45UN91Tutx-Q4wfZqYQ_DO8J7f2fDULrD_WdTuGwNwWrob2i2H75pGVV2DnQgLXx4gH9N_LGK0MIXD1E_j6g/w320-h240/vincentmckenna%20001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrCXjTKoF1sleQOygn6je7y8M-ggQWqXaFuzcK32rJt24IKSw2u2sdR61ffMWbMMQ1FOFzPAtgq1SjhBwTRngHmGfpAwev02hGxxWtovdPgMr2ynupwRPrpf5ov1nHRwbBpEKQW4E8mT4xuSgKccWQOC9Munqckg_Gyqg0QJRjSbJLjnHKzO8aQ/s3648/DSCF1519.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrCXjTKoF1sleQOygn6je7y8M-ggQWqXaFuzcK32rJt24IKSw2u2sdR61ffMWbMMQ1FOFzPAtgq1SjhBwTRngHmGfpAwev02hGxxWtovdPgMr2ynupwRPrpf5ov1nHRwbBpEKQW4E8mT4xuSgKccWQOC9Munqckg_Gyqg0QJRjSbJLjnHKzO8aQ/s320/DSCF1519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Michael McGoldrick had been a friend and fellow mature student at Queens and we had often had a cup of tea together, he simply wanted a better life for his family and he had no time for any violent group. I was the first ever Mature Student Officer on the Student Union Executive, I had produced the first ever Mature Student Handbook in third level education and organised events to help integrate Mature Students into the student body.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKrVSUiUwAiXaA2i86nGnOF5MwM3jQn3Co8kue9VXTzVPWLPhC8THZgDsch0NXevB0VgtGYNfdQHIsxVylZNlbI5ueWVtWTIArAuBpWmE6GBBIkpF4No49Hoe789WWtBDHxKW8IGj1kVRpxJNJtn_qcOy0U4BRjlKoDZkR8nbtd3IOBT1IElLAw/s3648/DSCF1346.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKrVSUiUwAiXaA2i86nGnOF5MwM3jQn3Co8kue9VXTzVPWLPhC8THZgDsch0NXevB0VgtGYNfdQHIsxVylZNlbI5ueWVtWTIArAuBpWmE6GBBIkpF4No49Hoe789WWtBDHxKW8IGj1kVRpxJNJtn_qcOy0U4BRjlKoDZkR8nbtd3IOBT1IElLAw/s320/DSCF1346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJXFMVoFe0qCm1yjFiq7L8QNtCmy_o9u6moQmuUVch_UysAyQYPojg3U64Ca_3oSXJ_BT-TGUpCsMXY7UU8fN4Ojl4EyYVEH8mMaBeSpMy8YAtkK7xPJz0Wzgu5ub4mbHYxE98CW77zy1R8vRg5Le6xDiPaU32USb039AymNS0_pQKCrvCclMFw/s3648/DSCF1349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJXFMVoFe0qCm1yjFiq7L8QNtCmy_o9u6moQmuUVch_UysAyQYPojg3U64Ca_3oSXJ_BT-TGUpCsMXY7UU8fN4Ojl4EyYVEH8mMaBeSpMy8YAtkK7xPJz0Wzgu5ub4mbHYxE98CW77zy1R8vRg5Le6xDiPaU32USb039AymNS0_pQKCrvCclMFw/s320/DSCF1349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5vkQ5ncX13yVLWwNDNWi-xzU7-5-p18FgrcrZvtPi75dWU-aUYBg_E-5ykBo60-EOPyPxNhEfqZc3wet4Xls0q_xBh-DmtytqaZYUhYabK2WVeKNfT0Owmy-tdyc919ILrkwE4PmLLXU3kY0rpRnq4ERTltVc60vOSvgJ0lYOhGk1KrBxjwOQw/s3648/DSCF1185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5vkQ5ncX13yVLWwNDNWi-xzU7-5-p18FgrcrZvtPi75dWU-aUYBg_E-5ykBo60-EOPyPxNhEfqZc3wet4Xls0q_xBh-DmtytqaZYUhYabK2WVeKNfT0Owmy-tdyc919ILrkwE4PmLLXU3kY0rpRnq4ERTltVc60vOSvgJ0lYOhGk1KrBxjwOQw/s320/DSCF1185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As Sinn Fein/PIRA intensified their campaign against me, in 1998, I published a list of 100 Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Rapists who were being protected by the Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA Leadership, Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA denied my Claims, in 2014 <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/gerry-adams-claims-list-of-alleged-abusers-he-gave-to-garda-leaked-1.3239834"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">Gerry Adams exonerated my claims</span></a>, too late for thousands of Rape Victims.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPr5iAfD_uopXMksoT8Fjx3WXfBPoUo9BUJF9F7cDzIen3EilHEwRJgAYGGvcC0mQCaO8xJXLtDZeyJH1oonDOT8xdqv7dmL5x3OPHmMrBPYGiCnDrFbZjWqrz3yUeaC7Rw8oewB2ceiZH96-7Ht6Cwsp-H76xVkO7tryIIIEG1aVfnDuVoNQaA/s480/NorthernIrelandHumanRightsBureau.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPr5iAfD_uopXMksoT8Fjx3WXfBPoUo9BUJF9F7cDzIen3EilHEwRJgAYGGvcC0mQCaO8xJXLtDZeyJH1oonDOT8xdqv7dmL5x3OPHmMrBPYGiCnDrFbZjWqrz3yUeaC7Rw8oewB2ceiZH96-7Ht6Cwsp-H76xVkO7tryIIIEG1aVfnDuVoNQaA/s320/NorthernIrelandHumanRightsBureau.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Northern Ireland Human Rights Bureau</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Omagh Bomb</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following the two bomb attacks certain Gardai became hostile towards me, this included Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly to whom I had disclosed Real IRA plans to bomb Banbridge and Omagh. I was angry, the wife, mother-in-law, daughter and unborn twins of my school friend Michael Monaghan had been Murdered in Omagh.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bertie Ahern mislead Dail Eireann, when asked if he had directed his Special Advisor, Dr Martin Mansergh to meet with The Real IRA prior to the Omagh Bomb in 1998, this meeting was directed after the Government had been advised by me of an imminent bombing campaign, Banbridge and Omagh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">One-year, 14 October, 2003, after misleading Dail Eireann, The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said that his then special adviser Dr Mansergh:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Did have contact with the 32-County Sovereignty Movement in 1998, <b>some weeks before </b>the Omagh atrocity and with a view to persuading the Real IRA to cease their activities".</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Regrettably the Real IRA did not heed this message and, indeed, <b>subsequently resumed </b>their activities," he said. He reiterated that there was <b>"no 'deal' done</b> by the Government either directly or indirectly" with the Real IRA in return for a ceasefire or in seeking their disbandment.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This attitude, to the Truth, by Bertie Ahern, is in stark contrast to the findings of The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), in relation to dealing other Real IRA actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Mr Ronan, MacLochlainn, a member of The Real IRA, was killed during an attempted armed robbery of a Securicor van in Ashford, Co Wicklow in May 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"This would have encouraged recognition by its members of the need for accountability and real independence in an investigation," the report says, in addition to possibly prompting better records and systems being maintained, which "ensured that full and appropriate disclosure was made by the organisation and thereby minimised the potential for theories of wrongdoing to fester".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"These measures could have saved the family of Mr MacLochlainn the long ordeal of seeking answers that this process became,"</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> the report said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Michael McKevitt was very clear about what had transpired between Bertie Ahern and The Real IRA Leadership, post-Omagh, McKevitt said that an Amnesty had been offered to The Omagh Bombers and those who directed them in return for a cease-fire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Real IRA called a ‘cease-fire’ in September 1998 to consider Ahern’s offer, but concluded that the offer had only been made as the security forces and members of The Irish Government had prior knowledge of The Real IRA plan to bomb Omagh.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE:</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Bertie Ahern does not say that no deal was offered, simply that <b>no 'deal' was done</b>.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1999, when Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA in Belfast, murdered a young man who had been Raped by a senior member of Sinn Fein/PIRA, Bertie Ahern said:<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Until there is an acceptable police force in Northern Ireland these things will continue to happen".</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here again we find Bertie Ahern reading from the same script, "Internal House-keeping", as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mo Mowlam, a script written by MI6. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA admitted after the Omagh Bomb, that it was only in the aftermath of the Omagh atrocity that they visited the homes of Real IRA members and directed them not to take any further explosives and weapons from their arms dumps, the dumps were already empty.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This post-Omagh act proving beyond doubt that Sinn Fein/PIRA were happy to use The Real IRA as Proxies, until that tactic literally blew-up in their face with the Omagh atrocity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Note: Sinn Féin is holding to its position that it will not encourage republicans to provide information to either An Garda Siochána or the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on who was responsible for the Omagh bombing four years ago (Gerry Moriarty, Irish Times, Fri, Aug 16, 2002).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1998, I was asked to meet with a Senior Civil Servant from The Northern Ireland Office, at The Europa Hotel in Belfast. The Senior Civil Servant offered me £200,000 to end my high-profile campaign against Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA. I declined the offer, although at that time, I could not pay my Electric Bill, I could not be bought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 12 January, 1999, I was arrested in Monaghan on the basis that <a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/11/medical-rape-irish-medical-council.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">allegations of sexual abuse</span></a> had been made against me on the 8 January, 1999. Worth noting that on the 8 January 1999 a leading member of The UFF told <a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/05/vincent-mckenna-attacks-threats-and.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">Hugh Jordon of The Sunday World</span></a> he had just been offered £5,000 to murder me and use UFF Code-word to claim the murder, story published 10 January, 1999. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tMNNLXc3kaw1YKc1kPIHInMf2WMRLJKxVSIivsFWaIvbzxK_ruhITLfJHuF9Nw89NtbQ20KnQhxh5gmd_mzBYILH2NkZ8IKbnNjBiYLQ7QVhL2ONJ29rPrttJD21Yoxwfhr8Kc1AddaXhi7gp7CYdkHuw1VxY7ifdo64vZyLpsC0xMerAyg7jA/s3648/DSCF1834.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tMNNLXc3kaw1YKc1kPIHInMf2WMRLJKxVSIivsFWaIvbzxK_ruhITLfJHuF9Nw89NtbQ20KnQhxh5gmd_mzBYILH2NkZ8IKbnNjBiYLQ7QVhL2ONJ29rPrttJD21Yoxwfhr8Kc1AddaXhi7gp7CYdkHuw1VxY7ifdo64vZyLpsC0xMerAyg7jA/s320/DSCF1834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE: The Murder Plot: Sources independent of me, show the following: On 8 January, 1999, the alleged victim (1-year after making complaint to Dr Marian Smyth) made a complaint to Gardai in Monaghan, we also know that there was communication between Sinn Fein/PIRA and corrupt Gardai, namely Inspector, Joseph Sullivan. We know that two members of Sinn Fein/PIRA offered a senior member of The UFF £5,000 on the same day to murder me and use UFF code-word to claim responsibility.</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoHx9K4SyHrvvqHcTZFJ-giy4C5AYvyWre8WxD14_V9RQ-JyPd2hqd5PnQ-klWieSmGLmhTiKI_mrPPvCE0Y-OiSVqjtXc0L8DHo45BwXWpV515Wl6dorUyqeh-WOGenXCAyiu0WY9oHz4pPszw64_4TK9RFr-kO31IpTts8u4PmJXUohGwKZPA/s3648/DSCF1833.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoHx9K4SyHrvvqHcTZFJ-giy4C5AYvyWre8WxD14_V9RQ-JyPd2hqd5PnQ-klWieSmGLmhTiKI_mrPPvCE0Y-OiSVqjtXc0L8DHo45BwXWpV515Wl6dorUyqeh-WOGenXCAyiu0WY9oHz4pPszw64_4TK9RFr-kO31IpTts8u4PmJXUohGwKZPA/s320/DSCF1833.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We know that Sinn Fein/PIRA knew that I was going to be arrested on 12 January, 1999, when I was making an application before The Family Court in Monaghan in relation to my children. Even before my arrest, Sinn Fein/PIRA in Belfast had begun to paint wall murals describing me as a Paedophile and MI6 Agent, we now know that those directing this activity were Paedophiles and Informers. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Before I entered The Family Court in Monaghan, I was told by protected child-rapist and member of Sinn Fein/PIRA, Patrick ‘Paddy’ Tierney, that I was going to be arrested after the hearing.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the full glare of my high-profile arrest, and in the shadow of fifty wall murals across Belfast, I was to be murdered by The UFF and a UFF code-word would be used to claim my murder. However, this murder bid was thwarted when a leading member of The UFF spoke to Hugh Jordon and I was consequently informed by the RUC.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">My detention on 12/13 January, 1999, in Monaghan Garda Station, was not recorded, although it was a statutory requirement, no notes were taken and I was released without terms or conditions after 20 Hours. The Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, who had prior warning of The Banbridge and Omagh Bombs facilitated and participated in my detention.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, to whom I had provided information about the impending Banbridge and Omagh bomb attacks in 1998, told me during my detention in Monaghan 12 January, 1999, that the <a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/11/medical-rape-irish-medical-council.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">allegations made against me</span></a> were not worth the paper they were written on. The same Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, also said that RUC Informer, Owen Smyth, had offered them guns in exchange for my high-profile arrest.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Irish Independent, 16<sup>th</sup> January, 1999:</b> “Gardai believe the heavy machineguns found in a field in Monaghan on Thursday are part of the same Provisional IRA arsenal discovered last October”.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bizarrely, while detained in Monaghan in January 1999, Gardai tried to recruit me as an Agent to work on their behalf in Northern Ireland, here is the name and address where I was supposed to send reports about Unionists/Loyalists, Sinn Fein/PIRA and 'Dissident Republicans'.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Garda Detective Richard ‘Dick’ Caplice would not have known that Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly was my contact. These security issues within An Garda Siochana in Monaghan Town would be high-lighted by Chief Supt Tom Curran at The Smithwick Tribunal many years later. The conspiracy against Garda Sergent, Maurice McCabe, would also expose some of the corruption in the Monaghan/Cavan Division during the same period.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwYfWQ_T4ndO0etUmNCb5c4Z-l8tNAd79gfM8dRyDplbZeWxCKxFXmR7RmylXTv6teNjojWV1fHaHjgFV16Guht104dAbzS8rxCT6wyaKxosiNKBtlS3RBxf1ch7svXYq66pgD5UYu4NBOPviZHgPibySAg7m3WSffNvIIlv19Z2sGBB2O4XYpg/s320/RichardCaplice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwYfWQ_T4ndO0etUmNCb5c4Z-l8tNAd79gfM8dRyDplbZeWxCKxFXmR7RmylXTv6teNjojWV1fHaHjgFV16Guht104dAbzS8rxCT6wyaKxosiNKBtlS3RBxf1ch7svXYq66pgD5UYu4NBOPviZHgPibySAg7m3WSffNvIIlv19Z2sGBB2O4XYpg/s1600/RichardCaplice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Garda Detective, Richard Caplice, wrote his name and address on this receipt from Penny's in Dundalk</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When I returned to Belfast after my detention in Monaghan in January, 1999, I exposed the attempt by An Garda Siochana to recruit me, I gave all the details including the contact name and address to Journalist Nell McCafferty. Nell McCafferty phoned the Garda Detective and he admitted that he had given me his phone number, name and address to send him reports.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is no secret that certain Gardai based in Monaghan Town could not be trusted, and this was summed up at The Smithwick Tribunal by Chief Supt, Tom Curran when he said he would not disclose the name of an Informant to the Garda Intelligence Collator in Monaghan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is worth noting, that the car used for the Omagh Bomb, seen here in the picture, was stolen a few yards from the home of Garda Detective, Richard Caplice, now, I know we live on a small island, but this is something of note. Especially, when we remember that the car was stolen by a Garda Informer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MYBaI7fzYJZecU3qazB411gHV3E5r6sVtq11eD89hUHYIZEBAWcNhvpMFRcgdAdP6l8h2W4z4KMEhhB_qM2Z6eStEnJ-oxeE3lxh9xIT9V_t0rby_a5HHGbrq14TkQR4Sg8huW6TMsT5c7ZUGYWxlEsXJYUlPSqlOFq8th0Z1k0dr4MdPYSLMQ/s323/Omaghbomb1998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="323" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MYBaI7fzYJZecU3qazB411gHV3E5r6sVtq11eD89hUHYIZEBAWcNhvpMFRcgdAdP6l8h2W4z4KMEhhB_qM2Z6eStEnJ-oxeE3lxh9xIT9V_t0rby_a5HHGbrq14TkQR4Sg8huW6TMsT5c7ZUGYWxlEsXJYUlPSqlOFq8th0Z1k0dr4MdPYSLMQ/s320/Omaghbomb1998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When I returned to Belfast, 13 January, 1999, over fifty wall murals had been painted by Sinn Fein/PIRA across the city, describing me as a </span>Pedophile<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and MI6 Agent, bizarrely those Sinn Fein/PIRA members who directed this activity against me, have all since been exposed as </span>Pedophiles<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and British Agents/Informers. Freddie Scappitticci, Dennis Donaldson, Jock Davidson, Marty Morris and so forth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE: The alleged victim in the case against me would allege that I had sent a relative to her with pictures of the wall murals and asking her to withdraw her allegations, at no time did I have any knowledge of anyone approaching her in such a fashion, if I had wanted the allegations withdrawn, I would simply have taken up the offer from Sinn Fein/PIRA, including Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Gardai were further disappointed when a Medical Report based on an examination of the alleged victim arrived and stated categorically that the alleged victim was Virgo Intacta, not only did this information contradict the allegations made, but also placed the alleged victim in a very special category, as 60% of girls are not Virgo Intacta by the age of 12-years due to normal activity such as cycling.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Gardai were now desperate, they had no record of my detention and now they had a <a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/11/medical-rape-irish-medical-council.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">Medical Report</span></a> that contradicted the allegations being made. In a desperate bid to get The DPP to bring charges, the Gardai in Monaghan called the alleged victim back into the Garda station and got her to change her original statement materially. The DPP now under political and media pressure brought charges.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">After my release from Garda custody, I was now determined to expose the Truth about the Omagh Bomb, and it was with this intention that I attended <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ukup-conference-is-told-terrorist-actions-tolerated-1.150162"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">The UKUP Conference in February, 1999</span></a> and named those responsible for the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs in the full glare of the cameras. This high-profile exposure of The Omagh Bombers forced Gardai to arrest and charge Colm Murphy on 21 February, 1999.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">However, the case against Murphy collapsed and a retrial was ordered, again the second trial collapsed. At the core of the failure of Murphy's two trials, was the Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, who had prior knowledge of Omagh, the same Garda Detective who facilitated and participated in my detention 12 January, 1999.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">A Garda Inspector, Joseph Sullivan in Monaghan Town, began to issue negative press briefings about me to <a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/10/vmk-o20.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">pro-Sinn Fein/PIRA Journalists</span></a>, while I had never been questioned about sexual abuse allegations in Monaghan during my detention in January, 1999 on the basis of such allegations, those allegations now took on new meaning for rogue Garda Officers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I was not the only person to be subject to the activities of <a href="https://villagemagazine.ie/john-hume-never-received-an-apology-from-the-british-secret-service-for-the-character-assassination-campaign-they-conducted-against-him/"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">dark-forces</span></a> who often worked to their own narrow agenda rather than seeing the bigger picture. Michael Gallagher, who has led the campaign for Justice for the Omagh Victims and their Families was also the subject of a smear campaign.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following my exposure of The Omagh Bombers and my critique of the failure of The Irish authorities to take decisive action, Garda Inspector Joseph Sullivan (later promoted to Superintendent) continued to brief the media negatively about me, in order to ensure that if charges were brought against me for alleged sexual assault, I could not get a fair hearing and would be silenced by the negative publicity he was generating.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"Asked if the Garda investigators expect formal charges to be directed by the DPP, Inspector Sullivan told the Irish Voice, <b>'we are confident that there will be a prosecution and we are confident that we will secure convictions against this suspect'." </b>(<a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/10/vmk-o20.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/10/vmk-o20.html</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">If these abuses being directed against me by corrupt Gardai, were directed against a member of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA, the case would never see the inside of a court room. Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA did offer me the opportunity to walk away from this case, in return for my silence, however, I declined those offers. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Garda Inspector, Joseph Sullivan, nicknamed, 'Provo Cop' by PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, would continue to work for dark-forces when he perjured himself and perverted the course of Justice when he lied on Oath in the case of DPP v Vincent McKenna. Those lies now fully exposed in a tape recording, in which Garda Inspector, Simon O'Connor of The Garda Press Office, states that Sullivan admitted to him, what Sullivan had denied under Oath.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While rogue Gardai in Monaghan continued to abuse my Legal and Constitutional Rights, I continued to do the job that they were failing to do. I continued to work with members of An Garda Siochana who were prepared to place the public and national interest before any selfish or corrupt motivation. My work was saving lives, while the actions of corrupt Gardai in Monaghan was placing many lives at risk.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu1PrHrc0-otW2_pFZOODfKCsXdvbK8d8FrQXKDpiGAnQ0T8pj1ZBbOG9H9fne3-6b9GFS5_HOW5CW5IGrOGqH7FiR29pwi_MnNiP_U5nW_oW7TOQFPcFZ5rbJoXEXtwmYjag3ESSwHiUfAg2LeCdVIGTNwmW17JPcrpMgIzWJTdsf-xuj4PFGg/s320/gardadetectivesdundalk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu1PrHrc0-otW2_pFZOODfKCsXdvbK8d8FrQXKDpiGAnQ0T8pj1ZBbOG9H9fne3-6b9GFS5_HOW5CW5IGrOGqH7FiR29pwi_MnNiP_U5nW_oW7TOQFPcFZ5rbJoXEXtwmYjag3ESSwHiUfAg2LeCdVIGTNwmW17JPcrpMgIzWJTdsf-xuj4PFGg/s1600/gardadetectivesdundalk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">One of the reasons advanced by his defense, for Omagh Bomber, Colm Murphy walking away from the charges was that his presumption of innocence had been taken away by media commentary pre-trial. This was due to a Spotlight Documentary; however, the over-riding reason was the actions of at least two Gardai.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following the attempt by The NIO to buy me off with £200K, the Gardai attempt to recruit me and a relentless campaign of abuse by Sinn Fein/PIRA and their Proxies in the media, I worked with CBS 60 Minutes to produce a documentary that would impact seriously on Sinn Fein/PIRA and their cheer-leaders in America.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On Sunday 14 March, 1999, the CBS 60 Minute Documentary presented by world renowned broadcaster and journalist Mike Wallace was watched by 80,000,000 Viewers, due to the fallout from the CBS 60 Minutes exposure of Sinn Fein/PIRA many Sinn Fein/PIRA fund raising functions in America on Saint Patrick's Day were cancelled. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is estimated by The FBI that the CBS 60 Minutes Documentary and its repeats cost Sinn Fein/PIRA Millions of Dollars. As an added bonus, American President, Bill Clinton had to quickly change his St Patrick's Day speech 1999 to include a heavy condemnation of ongoing Sinn Fein/PIRA Human Rights violations.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following my exposure of the duplicity of Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA in the CBS 60 Minutes Documentary on the 14<sup> </sup>February 1999, <a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/05/vincent-mckenna-attacks-threats-and.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">threats and attacks on my person intensified in Belfast</span></a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It was at this time that I gave an interview to Toby Harnden for his book, Bandit Country (Hodder, 1999) in which I explained that Sinn Fein/PIRA had small numbers of Gardai working for them. I explained how certain Gardai in Dundalk had colluded in the Murders of Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">My disclosures about minimal Garda collusion with Sinn Fein/PIRA in the border counties lead to denials of such collusion by Minister for Justice, John O’Donoghue TD and Sinn Fein/PIRA. My assertions about collusion were exonerated by <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/garda%C3%AD-tipped-off-ira-ahead-of-ruc-officer-murders-1.1615528"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">The Smithwick Tribunal</span></a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is worth noting, that even as The Smithwick Tribunal was making findings of collusion, Minister for Justice, John O’Donoghue remained in denial of such collusion. Bizarrely, one of the people John O’Donoghue had meet with in relation to the campaign against me, was the person who gave Sinn Fein/PIRA access to the Telephone Exchange in Dundalk so that Sinn Fein/PIRA could monitor phone calls, before the murder of the two senior RUC officers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The more pressure I was put under by <a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/05/vincent-mckenna-attacks-threats-and.html"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">various groupings</span></a>, the more determined I became, by June 1999, I was viewed as someone who could be useful in helping to promote the MI6 view of what a 'peace-process' should look like. In June, 1999, I had travelled to Westminster to update politicians on continued Human Rights abuses by Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA and their proxies, it was during this visit that I was approached by MI6 Officers associated with Martin McGuinness.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXkzqxIVcQdLzRBGbfVM654Zb1Ke1nBscja3EXU2BurJTLcPr4SvJDfqGs-jhq5E5Xkj679pRPT9vP-FUYkyPiQKZQsFsfWEyc3fjcdB_HScrMJjq-cqhh7dx7t12ZdzyG7Axl62nR07dHBsopd-0lEZwZd1v32kAEmM0beVfjgFWplNZPsYV_Q/s3648/DSCF1313.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXkzqxIVcQdLzRBGbfVM654Zb1Ke1nBscja3EXU2BurJTLcPr4SvJDfqGs-jhq5E5Xkj679pRPT9vP-FUYkyPiQKZQsFsfWEyc3fjcdB_HScrMJjq-cqhh7dx7t12ZdzyG7Axl62nR07dHBsopd-0lEZwZd1v32kAEmM0beVfjgFWplNZPsYV_Q/s320/DSCF1313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I rejected the advances of MI6, even though they had proven to me that Martin McGuinness did not pose a threat to the 'peace-process'. However, the 'peace-process' proposed by MI6 included abandoning the Catholic community, including women and children who had been raped by Sinn Fein/PIRA, to the dictate of Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1999, I pushed on in my campaign to expose the duplicity of Sinn Fein/PIRA. I assisted two German academics to produce a book on Sinn Fein/PIRA's campaign of Ethnic Cleansing, I arranged interviews for them with key players in Northern Ireland and so forth. The book, 'From Myth to Mafia' went on to become a best seller in Germany and played a significant role in reducing German support for Sinn Fein/PIRA and their proxies.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZjm695YyGzjc8s7j0B7EU3qpJESlFI62dIY83JUp0t9y5r-mvA1GQsdK8HPryLxx3Aa2Euh6iDOVWPczsRyFJ1Ica7CNxioVc_wZfh6mPH30jLAr0hJzZL-sq4Uk00nbIYAmfcjPdLtptx5mYQeHP9wTvq0-_J1Ue5AC8e20IcyyZ-Dz8qA9Fw/s320/frommythtomafia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZjm695YyGzjc8s7j0B7EU3qpJESlFI62dIY83JUp0t9y5r-mvA1GQsdK8HPryLxx3Aa2Euh6iDOVWPczsRyFJ1Ica7CNxioVc_wZfh6mPH30jLAr0hJzZL-sq4Uk00nbIYAmfcjPdLtptx5mYQeHP9wTvq0-_J1Ue5AC8e20IcyyZ-Dz8qA9Fw/s1600/frommythtomafia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>From Myth to Mafia</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">By mid-1999 it was clear that the British Government and elements of the Irish Government, namely corrupt and self-serving politicians such as Bertie Ahern and John O'Donoghue were prepared to turn a blind eye to ongoing Murders and Rapes being committed by Sinn Fein/PIRA. Blair and Ahern had created a 'peace' narrative that existed in their heads only, and had not materialised for the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The majority of political commentators had adopted a, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil, policy. Investigative journalism had become redundant in the 'new' political dispensation. However, as so often happens in Northern Ireland, an opportunity to expose the rot presented itself, in a cowardly murder.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 30 July, 1999, a 22-year-old Catholic lad was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by a Sinn Fein/PIRA gang which was led by an RUC Informer, this individual along with other members of the gang were also known rapists within Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following the murder of Charles Bennett, word quickly spread that it was Sinn Fein/PIRA who had murdered Charles. Due to the number of high-level Agents and Informers within Sinn Fein/PIRA right across Belfast it did not take The RUC long to identify the murderers.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Speculation now mounted as to whether Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, who referred to Martin McGuinness as "Babe" would declare the murder of Charles Bennett as a breach of The PIRA 'cease-fire'. Mowlam tried to avoid the question of the 'status' of the PIRA 'cease-fire' by stating that it was a matter for her Chief Security Advisor, Sir Ronnie Flanaghan to determine who murdered Charles Bennett.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It so happened that Sir Ronnie Flanaghan was going to be on a Television program with a group of students, and those students would be allowed to ask Sir Ronnie about policing in the 'new' political dispensation.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I received a call from a young friend, whom I had known at Queens University, he said he was placing some students on the Television show that Sir Ronnie was going to appear on. My friend asked me if I had any particular question I wanted to ask Sir Ronnie. I told him, to get one of the students to ask Sir Ronnie, who murdered Charles Bennett.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sir Ronnie Flanaghan answered the question very clearly, The PIRA murdered Charles Bennett, no question about it. The reason why Sir Ronnie was so certain about the identity of the murderers would become much clearer when Bobby Storey raided Castlereagh RUC Station in 2002 and stole files containing the names of dozens of Sinn Fein/PIRA Agents and Informers.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On a Friday afternoon, I received a call from a journalist, who said that NIO had just told him off the record that the murder of Charles Bennett was being viewed as "Internal House-keeping" and not a breach of The PIRA 'cease-fire'.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I phoned The NIO and recorded the call, below, a record of the call and transcript. The tape recording was given to BBC Newsnight who flew over from England specifically to record the story. The BBC Newsnight exposure effectively finished Mo Mowlam's position as Secretary of State, a severe body blow for Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While Tony Blair, Sinn Fein/PIRA and other duplicitous mud-larks rallied around Mowlam, I quickly drove the final nail into Mowlam's political coffin.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7-I4Bv9zCTjhDPUCMBA7FFa7GUEBbd7HURrEDsNsWVupkgu-9_M-yhgnhJbcjr6pVVXm_1qA5T5b_Za7lYWWzLM0bPP3jzVLchoUn235hwp7gOFQrpZeOPdwHFfYnLyFpMIW-CZlUmad2apiKVhbkyNfWowVBEhCQZXq8PlhAv28NV37gCcHWg/s320/MoMowlam1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7-I4Bv9zCTjhDPUCMBA7FFa7GUEBbd7HURrEDsNsWVupkgu-9_M-yhgnhJbcjr6pVVXm_1qA5T5b_Za7lYWWzLM0bPP3jzVLchoUn235hwp7gOFQrpZeOPdwHFfYnLyFpMIW-CZlUmad2apiKVhbkyNfWowVBEhCQZXq8PlhAv28NV37gCcHWg/s1600/MoMowlam1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-gKtnO3A7bqHVB1vQ89IbCdIMPmb6dTnCHbDYjqu_KA9i719j-16BLikmSEqAV_h6S5vJa-Qjm_-Pj-0dOFE_NhF5qlAO3X_s3KDW4V2MU-YmSfmsgdWuO5SHG1Xn7JaeP4CHrQO2Coda1ign040z7S2Cr_7S2rhbSipNtHXmwaAHJoE12s_tQ/s320/MoMowlam2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-gKtnO3A7bqHVB1vQ89IbCdIMPmb6dTnCHbDYjqu_KA9i719j-16BLikmSEqAV_h6S5vJa-Qjm_-Pj-0dOFE_NhF5qlAO3X_s3KDW4V2MU-YmSfmsgdWuO5SHG1Xn7JaeP4CHrQO2Coda1ign040z7S2Cr_7S2rhbSipNtHXmwaAHJoE12s_tQ/s1600/MoMowlam2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following my exposure of Mowlam's flawed "Internal House-keeping thesis", Mowlam was hanging by a thread, while I was at war with Sinn Fein/PIRA, I still had many contacts within Sinn Fein/PIRA. I was told by a senior member of Sinn Fein/PIRA, Joe Cahill, that a list of On-The-Run Sinn Fein/PIRA members had been drawn up and they were to receive Comfort Letters, Amnesties and Royal Pardons.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The senior Sinn Fein/PIRA member, Joe Cahill, was providing me with this information, because he knew that twenty-seven of the initial list of forty-one OTRs drawn up, had actually been moved out of Northern Ireland after they had admitted to Sinn Fein/PIRA that they had Raped women and children. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I press released the list of forty-one Sinn Fein/PIRA Murderers and Rapists who were to be given Comfort Letters/Amnesties/Royal Pardons, this caused a political storm around Mo Mowlam and the Northern Ireland Office, with everyone running for cover.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In October, 1999, Mo Mowlam was replaced by Peter Mandelson, Mowlam had signed her own political death warrant by going native with Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvH78uuZT9Zt-zKB1IgufXVpTRWs6hb7v38Bx-vMTSFeMLu3pUHnPt2AnRsUcAj2FUulOZrz7V5D4Q0e5T5zdrxkYCXCwfWEM3ZJ3MomGzc94-npSlJWZolnftod5cKUG7_h6eVgkVGU5T4FqRZTWSW5FUB4TdMx_Yo0RwC-km85EuuDhDhpJnw/s3648/DSCF1114.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvH78uuZT9Zt-zKB1IgufXVpTRWs6hb7v38Bx-vMTSFeMLu3pUHnPt2AnRsUcAj2FUulOZrz7V5D4Q0e5T5zdrxkYCXCwfWEM3ZJ3MomGzc94-npSlJWZolnftod5cKUG7_h6eVgkVGU5T4FqRZTWSW5FUB4TdMx_Yo0RwC-km85EuuDhDhpJnw/s320/DSCF1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">David Rupert’s decision to become the Prosecution’s star witness against Michael McKevitt, followed his final trip to Ireland as an undercover agent in October 2000.</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Conspiracy to Silence</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In <b>June 2000</b>, while I was under sustained attack by Sinn Fein/PIRA for exposing their inner secrets, I was contacted by Garda Special Branch Officer, Liam Donnelly. Liam Donnelly asked me if I would travel to Monaghan Town for a meeting. I had just returned from Germany having prevented the importation of commercial explosives, weapons and ammunition to the Real IRA, I had also prevented the murder of the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Mandelson and his staff, the bomb was stopped a short distance from Mandelson’s residence. I was reluctant to meet with Liam Donnelly, however, Liam Donnelly sounded like he was under pressure and so I agreed.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Liam Donnelly told me to book into the Swan Lake Hotel, North Road, Monaghan Town, as it was owned by Garda Detective, Peter Driver and I would be safe there. I booked a room in the Swan Lake Hotel as instructed and waited in the room to be contacted. When Liam Donnelly knocked on my door, I opened the door expecting to see Liam Donnelly only. However, Liam Donnelly was accompanied by a senior Garda Officer from Garda Headquarters and a senior Official from the Office of An Taoisigh and both were introduced to me by Liam Donnelly.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QqzdHzSpO3EbftlI0ch4TUVBHm8hfrmJ6JCS0JvzEB3huOTS6t-nSwoQfbgq-6OKwQgDHoFb95WpkgTTZl1G13GjOrCyMrIxRWNwicno9dD2uHKk8dUwqZ88REDKaKwnJOnYppVEX6nmv5JWbmE8iBmG64UgtRNKSuNg7EscSjV4bGDX_0YVCQ/s320/lakesidehotelonaghan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QqzdHzSpO3EbftlI0ch4TUVBHm8hfrmJ6JCS0JvzEB3huOTS6t-nSwoQfbgq-6OKwQgDHoFb95WpkgTTZl1G13GjOrCyMrIxRWNwicno9dD2uHKk8dUwqZ88REDKaKwnJOnYppVEX6nmv5JWbmE8iBmG64UgtRNKSuNg7EscSjV4bGDX_0YVCQ/s1600/lakesidehotelonaghan.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Liam Donnelly, explained that there was a genuine concern that I was going to go public about my security meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin, <b>11 July, 1998</b>, and that such a public disclosure could bring down the Government and negatively impact on the peace process. The senior Garda Officer and the senior Official echoed Liam Donnelly’s concerns. I explained my position in relation to the security meeting <b>11 July, 1998</b>, at which I had made clear the need to arrest the Real IRA Leadership and prevent the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Liam Donnelly, the senior Garda Officer and the senior Official told me that the charges against me for sexual assault, would disappear if I agreed to sign a document declaring that I had <b>not</b> given An Garda Siochana and The Government any pre-warning about the Banbridge and Omagh Bombs. I made my position very clear; I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees. When it finally became clear that I would not sign the document presented by the senior Official, the meeting ended.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5Qdxm5UIgKinXeFYpctpdrNMHrGbjNhoK_RjGGr51cYvx_srz1HoeIjdPc_8ARl-YzVT10LJ2P2z63u-yKzaBQzb1WoUT42ZBhOIumVpZrYZrXFONshc609sSgWODuN1RTXwsNnCIHXDmoNsmKwrkkpOQSvcsSVrBAiF4VJShXWcGEy4FIRvw/s3648/DSCF1848%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5Qdxm5UIgKinXeFYpctpdrNMHrGbjNhoK_RjGGr51cYvx_srz1HoeIjdPc_8ARl-YzVT10LJ2P2z63u-yKzaBQzb1WoUT42ZBhOIumVpZrYZrXFONshc609sSgWODuN1RTXwsNnCIHXDmoNsmKwrkkpOQSvcsSVrBAiF4VJShXWcGEy4FIRvw/s320/DSCF1848%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In November 2000, I went voluntarily to Monaghan to face charges of sexual assault, this is covered in more detail below, and the case has returned to The Court of Criminal Appeal in 2023. The only delay in this case going to trial was due to Political and Garda corruption, if I had signed the document above there would have been no trial. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I was convicted on 10 November, 2000 and sentenced 21 November 2000. Following my sentencing <a href="https://hubpages.com/politics/forum/78090/mary-mccleary--monaghan-town--ireland--author-or-con-woman"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">every tramp</span></a> and his dog was given a platform against me, many of whom would later be exposed as rapists and child abusers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following sentencing in Cavan Circuit Court, I was in handcuffs and shackles and I was attacked by a number of Sinn Fein/PIRA members, two of whom had been moved out of Monaghan Town by The Provisional IRA as they had admitted Raping Children, such was the perverse nature of the campaign against me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Director of Public Prosecutions Directed a charge of assault against one individual, however, a corrupt Garda Inspector ensured that this individual was never brought before the Court. The letter below from Superintendent O'Connor explains that The DPP has directed assault charges against one person in relation to the assault at Cavan Circuit Court. Two of the Sinn Fein/PIRA members who attacked me in Cavan Circuit Court had been moved out of Monaghan some years earlier when they admitting raping children in Monaghan Town.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDf0jR7hJqCHPsN5F7yGTH_XT2jROx8BGsxkMInJ-eOgf9OTMXEa_kMk7nXoj9Z2H7CqxJ_IzlSUTSheCAGlPPYDiDUihiUtvnN4IVPC4mKKnSISOnfwJHDO0w2FfzQaLo4j1dhsmXYslUr9_jMsy6q3fmnooFA945CnjsGk-rA_bXBopLnoEvw/s320/assaultcharges.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDf0jR7hJqCHPsN5F7yGTH_XT2jROx8BGsxkMInJ-eOgf9OTMXEa_kMk7nXoj9Z2H7CqxJ_IzlSUTSheCAGlPPYDiDUihiUtvnN4IVPC4mKKnSISOnfwJHDO0w2FfzQaLo4j1dhsmXYslUr9_jMsy6q3fmnooFA945CnjsGk-rA_bXBopLnoEvw/s1600/assaultcharges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Before my 'trial' in November 2000, Garda Detective, Liam Donnelly, who had prior knowledge of the Omagh Bomb, warned me that the safety of my children could not be guaranteed if I raised anything at my trial that would embarrass An Garda Siochana in Monaghan. My children continued to live in Kieran Doherty Park, where 80% of active Sinn Fein/PIRA members in Monaghan lived.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The then Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue TD who had publicly criticised my high-profile campaign against Sinn Fein/PIRA's continued Murder and Rape, had become involved in the case against me both publicly and privately in order to ensure that I was buried and silenced. The Irish Government did not want continued <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/state-papers"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">Sinn Fein/PIRA Murders and Rapes highlighted</span></a>. This De Facto Amnesty for Sinn Fein/PIRA Murderers, would be exposed by Michael McDowell SC (2021).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">O'Donoghue had no interest in the allegations against me, he wanted to bury me as he also knew about the meeting at Aras an Uachtarain on 11 July, 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">O'Donoghue instructed the DPP, Mr James Hamilton, by Letter to bury me. I discovered this letter under a Freedom of Information request and O'Donoghue moved quickly to change the FOI legislation, which was passed without question by Dail Eireann.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_EguSj724CfLwJSf7hd5vUzjZjM1Q293ZrY0zX9w9Y_lVSC0LRxCN-xCNRk6EH8fLZvDTl4OzZMHd1xHeWuoqLcVkrwKCzJQ7pHsfYDnNCFke5cItoem8O3NXAxU13U8qmpulBgODZUoJTkU8f9gp_m3g66UA63Wnl9o4E2Dl5Fu0Q6Tzy-gDA/s3648/DSCF1379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_EguSj724CfLwJSf7hd5vUzjZjM1Q293ZrY0zX9w9Y_lVSC0LRxCN-xCNRk6EH8fLZvDTl4OzZMHd1xHeWuoqLcVkrwKCzJQ7pHsfYDnNCFke5cItoem8O3NXAxU13U8qmpulBgODZUoJTkU8f9gp_m3g66UA63Wnl9o4E2Dl5Fu0Q6Tzy-gDA/s320/DSCF1379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qEpY_7aIkM_qroFZOk3Y7DbqTVwfW9JeyJQUUAm72dzBIQ8Q6h6SaOL7vqhyCRo3QPe0hpq5ss7m1pTKd2hX6AXi8TP9wq-MA30PwywDj6i9xu6TIz6H12Wb9OKlr_fahTVfgxaxZdK2M-eE1l8YdexMJvTfVSAXnGcqfCt20rcVs7fCzAbJYg/s3648/DSCF1505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qEpY_7aIkM_qroFZOk3Y7DbqTVwfW9JeyJQUUAm72dzBIQ8Q6h6SaOL7vqhyCRo3QPe0hpq5ss7m1pTKd2hX6AXi8TP9wq-MA30PwywDj6i9xu6TIz6H12Wb9OKlr_fahTVfgxaxZdK2M-eE1l8YdexMJvTfVSAXnGcqfCt20rcVs7fCzAbJYg/s320/DSCF1505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">O'Donoghue visited me in prison and apologised for interfering in the Judicial process, I rejected his apology and he continued to do me harm, to the point that he met with The Judge who would preside over my Appeal, at that Judge's holiday home in County Kerry. This shortly before John O'Donoghue's other legal buddy, Judge Brian Curtin, also County Kerry, would be charged with possession of child rape images.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">O'Donoghue's continued commentary about me in the media resulted in my person being subject in prison to violent assault including being stabbed in the head and arm. O'Donoghue was aware of the harm being done to me but he continued. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I then issued Criminal proceedings against Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue TD in The District Court in Dublin, I sought to have O'Donoghue charged with Perverting the Course of Justice, due to his Criminal interference in my case. I was representing myself in the District Court, O'Donoghue was represented by senior Counsel who are now High Court Judges.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtvEJ-B8pPUxhqromzA95rshrZu9Y7J62T6R3YPdKTBISO78DTZ24HGo2guuZMykT8e_xex3xGnUG3A7w0ogwGMsPRuPptyl0sf_nDYHPkiTjYJG95vT_7xrC2AD0Ctffz2Pjvrlim1ZsaznrwCWhV8BkTSF9_YnVj-W6GC1UpXfs1ob_v1W-8Q/s3648/DSCF1370.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtvEJ-B8pPUxhqromzA95rshrZu9Y7J62T6R3YPdKTBISO78DTZ24HGo2guuZMykT8e_xex3xGnUG3A7w0ogwGMsPRuPptyl0sf_nDYHPkiTjYJG95vT_7xrC2AD0Ctffz2Pjvrlim1ZsaznrwCWhV8BkTSF9_YnVj-W6GC1UpXfs1ob_v1W-8Q/s320/DSCF1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While I was able to show The District Court the Freedom of Information documents disclosed, including the draft letter from O'Donoghue to the DPP, The District Court Judge refused to issue an Order of Disclosure in relation to the actual letter received by the DPP, and he ruled that without the letter received by the DPP, he would not issue a summons. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The DPP had admitted that they had received the unlawful letter but they would not disclose it, the Judge would not order disclosure of the letter, and he then ruled that without the letter received by the DPP, he would not issue the summons against O'Donoghue. This bizarre case highlighting yet again the dangerous relationship between corrupt Politicians and some within the Judiciary.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">O'Donoghue signed Transfer orders for members of The Real IRA to be moved to the non-political prison in which I was being held. Those Real IRA prisoners told me that 'Gardai' involved in their transfer had reminded them that I had named The Real IRA, Omagh Bombers. Dissident republicans transferred to the prison in which I was being held realised that they were being used and did not engage in violence against me, in fact we all trained together in the prison gym.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, it became clear that I would not be silenced or go on lock-up due to the vitriol and violence being directed at me and so dark-forces (facilitated by same Garda Detective in Monaghan) made their boldest move so far, I was arrested from prison in relation to The Omagh Bomb. I was returned to prison after being questioned at Lucan Garda Station for several hours, the basic tenant of that questioning was to keep my mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHiFeJ1lmqp_DmBMda1KK67KQAl0l93BhlftTPnboei0fUlWuMbM4CWUG0z7CnxKyumZrS6YQdqfNTqjfwrUaiFvumRHVmC2yOa6FLLWX5OOY82r-wWnvec9KgY-Ng3QZPHZkhdwLuVBsBy-tlPr-aQAcF8Wzq51OLoeiFaccBYjf3RNXNayQ2Q/s3648/DSCF1330.JPG" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHiFeJ1lmqp_DmBMda1KK67KQAl0l93BhlftTPnboei0fUlWuMbM4CWUG0z7CnxKyumZrS6YQdqfNTqjfwrUaiFvumRHVmC2yOa6FLLWX5OOY82r-wWnvec9KgY-Ng3QZPHZkhdwLuVBsBy-tlPr-aQAcF8Wzq51OLoeiFaccBYjf3RNXNayQ2Q/s320/DSCF1330.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bizarrely, I would on a second occasion be taken from prison, allegedly arrested in relation to The Omagh Bomb, this according to Gardai many years later was not a lawful arrest, no record exists and appears to have been a kidnapping to warn me to keep my mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 4; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Plan to Murder <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following my kidnapping from prison by rogue Gardai, it was clear that I was not going to be silent, and as my release date came ever closer, corrupt Politicians and Gardai were anxious. Three weeks before my release, there was a final attempt on my life. This was an organised attempt and one that took some planning and co-operation.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I was returning from a visit, everything appeared normal, I was escorted from the visiting area by a prison officer that I did not know. Prison officers were constantly transferring between prisons and so it was not unusual to see new faces.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When I stepped through the final security gate on the long corridor that led to my landing, I heard the gate close behind me, normally the prison officer closes the gate and walks in front of the prisoner to his landing. When the security gate had been closed, I simply looked ahead and waited for the prison officer to walk past me.<br />When I looked around, the prison officer was gone. I had probably one-hundred feet to walk to my landing and so I proceeded alone. This all felt very eery, simply not right, as I walked along the corridor, I could see that the main security door to another landing was open, but no sign of any prison officer.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Then five prisoners, clearly armed with brand new Stanley blades lined out across the corridor to block my path. I knew that if my assailants got me down on the ground I would be sliced and probably murdered.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I decided to take out the biggest lad, I ran straight at the biggest lad, I hit him so hard that my fist deflected off his face and hit the rough plaster wall behind him, I lost the knuckle on my index finger on my right hand. The prisoner that I had punched was half unconscious, I held him up and used his as a shield, there was blood everywhere, I kept kicking and punching until prison officers eventually arrived.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While the majority of prison officers were professional, there were always prison officers for hire, and if a handful of rogue officers landed the same shift together prisoners could die and sometimes did. Contracts on individuals is as common in prison as it is on the street. Before I was released, one of the five prisoners who had attacked me, told me they had been paid in heroin to attack me.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Background and Key Milestones</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The most important thing to remember about The Omagh Bomb is that, there were a great many agendas at play, the victims were of little concern to those agendas, as had been the case from 1969. However, the people of Ireland were told exactly what was happening before, during and after Omagh, but nobody wanted to listen.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wurvqcER9wYVUIxiFTtNJfd5yYeXQ3zXp5QzeeQamcA6L2bGSko9I_YZITSswWTBjCUHbh20xbHcPTIq-_HlR1gaoYr1Ox32wI4yCjCA2TstodaJRtdf_nAKw5yaFg761pGOt3fH037ZMlGeNu6Ywat6GYyVYnPAVO6wj369L4ptmnP-Emsoow/s985/bertieahernrejoinsfiannafail.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wurvqcER9wYVUIxiFTtNJfd5yYeXQ3zXp5QzeeQamcA6L2bGSko9I_YZITSswWTBjCUHbh20xbHcPTIq-_HlR1gaoYr1Ox32wI4yCjCA2TstodaJRtdf_nAKw5yaFg761pGOt3fH037ZMlGeNu6Ywat6GYyVYnPAVO6wj369L4ptmnP-Emsoow/s320/bertieahernrejoinsfiannafail.webp" width="208" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The people were told loudly and clearly that the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership had armed The Real IRA in order to use them as proxies, to do their dirty-work while the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership presented themselves to the world as ‘peace-makers’.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This was a tactic used many times, for example, following <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ukup-conference-is-told-terrorist-actions-tolerated-1.150162"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">The Good Friday Agreement</span></a>, Sinn Fein/PIRA used Direct Action Against Drugs, to murder those drug dealers who were refusing to pay protection money to Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Good Friday Agreement</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following The Good Friday Agreement Sinn Fein/PIRA used shootings, beatings and murder to silence those who offered any challenge to their authority, this included Sinn Fein/PIRA Rape victims. This violence by Sinn Fein/PIRA post-Good Friday Agreement was described by British Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam as “Internal House-keeping” and was not viewed as a breach of the agreed Sinn Fein/PIRA cease-fire.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZWukOg2pOQWsGmdBRwQL8kWTtQgIQ0Iisrm7hJl_2mH82Jvkos-QmOxafnLGdkCpGeR6bVxdTW3chzD4qXK2aI-1SvHIBhZp1FGT91zWPizHvI49n2_a37KXWN5JjwZ-EF780PjpQxzgMvm-fYjn6J2PzrnCUt-cvQ3zH4b_JUUvz9scmV6V-g/s3648/DSCF1116.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZWukOg2pOQWsGmdBRwQL8kWTtQgIQ0Iisrm7hJl_2mH82Jvkos-QmOxafnLGdkCpGeR6bVxdTW3chzD4qXK2aI-1SvHIBhZp1FGT91zWPizHvI49n2_a37KXWN5JjwZ-EF780PjpQxzgMvm-fYjn6J2PzrnCUt-cvQ3zH4b_JUUvz9scmV6V-g/s320/DSCF1116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This determination by Mowlam, while an outrage against civil society, God and man, was technically correct, as Sinn Fein/PIRA had deliberately excluded Catholics from the Terms and Conditions of their agreed cease-fire, The Irish Republic including its Armed Forces were also excluded from the Sinn Fein/PIRA Terms and Conditions. <br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Effectively, Sinn Fein/PIRA had been given a license to murder, as long as those murders were within the Catholic community. If State sponsored collusion ever existed in Northern Ireland, then this is its greatest example, fully exposed in the light of day, yet those who should have known better turned a blind eye.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Between 1992-1997 I was a runner between, my cousin, PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness, PIRA Army Council.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin McKenna was also using another member of Sinn Fein/PIRA as a runner with Northern Command; however, McKenna was concerned that the second runner may have been compromised. As I had a genuine reason for visiting Monaghan each week and a genuine reason for visiting Derry each week, the security forces were less likely to take me under their notice, or so Kevin McKenna believed. I meet with McGuinness at a safe-house on The Culmore Road in Derry on a regular basis.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin McKenna and I, could trace hour heritage back to Niall McKenna of 1641, who had massacred over 2,000 Protestants in the Monaghan/Tyrone region while stripping thousands more Protestants of their belongings and driving them from their homes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While Kevin McKenna was happy to kill British military personnel, he derived his greatest pleasure from purely sectarian operations such as Kingsmill (10 Protestants), Enniskillen (12 Protestants), Teebane (8 Protestants) Shankill (10 Protestants dead, 57 Protestants injured). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Kevin McKenna never tired of targeting Protestants in his native Aughnacloy, County Tyrone and while he had murdered a number of Protestants in Aughnacloy and Monaghan in the 1970s, McKenna failed to carry-out any successful operations in Aughnacloy from 1980 onwards.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Martin McGuinness is a very different kettle of fish; McGuinness had been groomed by MI6 from those early days in the 1970s when the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership meet with British Officials. According to Sean O’Callaghan (a Garda and MI5 Agent) who was in regular phone contact with McGuinness in the 1990s, McGuinness was formerly recruited by MI6 in the mid-1980s. <br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">O’Callaghan claimed that he witnessed many meetings between McGuinness and MI6 Officer Oatley during a period that the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership claim there was no contact between the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership and The British. O’Callaghan also claimed that when Oatley used Irish in his communications to McGuinness, it was O’Callaghan who provided the Irish, anyone who knew McGuinness, will know that his IQ was not overwhelming.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreWyrx3xfwWhSB-E7ZQybEnZ1BGj9Rj7SY4Mvzffq1pNHU4cSqUTyT56CuxYALc0fg5nPtA1jvGyN6DMc4OfisZOJp73NtEuuqnnqPPgnA_B1hxO7POKqIjTcPwBc7GVJMgRCT-TBYvJmBryE-9Ek_oHR6ozu2Hct2yu4ZEr5QaSBUVrJk0NCRw/s3648/MI6CommunicationbetweenOatelyandMcGuinness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreWyrx3xfwWhSB-E7ZQybEnZ1BGj9Rj7SY4Mvzffq1pNHU4cSqUTyT56CuxYALc0fg5nPtA1jvGyN6DMc4OfisZOJp73NtEuuqnnqPPgnA_B1hxO7POKqIjTcPwBc7GVJMgRCT-TBYvJmBryE-9Ek_oHR6ozu2Hct2yu4ZEr5QaSBUVrJk0NCRw/s320/MI6CommunicationbetweenOatelyandMcGuinness.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This is the actual Communication from MI6 Officer Oatley to MI6 Agent Martin McGuinness in 1993, it was initially hand-written by Oatley and then typed up by MI6 Officer Robert, so that Guinness's name could be removed from the top and Oatley's name removed from the bottom. Read the content and see the total disregard for those who had just been murdered by Sinn Fein/PIRA in England and Northern Ireland.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2017, David Trimble, who had become friendly with McGuinness admitted that he was with Sean O’Callaghan when Sean O’Callaghan received a long and detailed phone call from Martin McGuinness in the 1990s. However, the greatest indictment against McGuinness is the communication below, the provenance of which the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership continue to deny, to accept its provenance as set out here is to accept that McGuinness, ‘the republican hero’, was in fact an MI6 Agent who had a free hand from his Handlers to engage in and direct murder, nothing new there when we look at all the other British Agents/informers/touts who did and continue to sit at the top of Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I can also confirm that on the 27 January, 1999, I was having lunch with Sean O'Callaghan in Westminster when Sean received a call on his phone from Martin McGuinness to advise Sean that Eamon Collins had just been murdered in Newry for giving evidence against Thomas 'Slab' Murphy in the Sunday Times libel trial. Sean, Eamon and I were all witnesses against Slab Murphy in order to expose Murphy's profiteering.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">PIRA Cease-fire, August 1994</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In August, 1994, The PIRA Army Council declared a cease-fire, the Terms and Conditions of that cease-fire have never been seen by anyone other than members of The PIRA Army Council and MI6 Officers reporting to The British Prime Minister. I had sight of several communications between Kevin McKenna and Martin McGuinness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On Friday, 9<sup> </sup>February, 1996: one hour after a statement ending their ceasefire, the Provisional IRA detonated a large lorry bomb near South Quay DLR station in the London Docklands, killing two people, injuring 40, and causing £150 million worth of damage. The IRA ceasefire had lasted 17 months and 9 days. It is not too much of a stretch to imagine that those running McGuinness, where happy to allow this bombing to go ahead and force Unionists into Government with Sinn Fein/PIRA. The tone of the communication from MI6 Officer Oatley, supports this view.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 20 July, 1997, The PIRA Army Council restored their 1994 cease-fire, stating:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“We have ordered the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire of August 1994. All units have been instructed accordingly”.</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This “Restoration” of the 1994 cease-fire means that there was only one cease-fire, it broke down and was restored. This means that the Articles of Surrender agreed between Martin McGuinness and MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley, in 1994 never changed.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">So, while Sinn Fein/PIRA would sign up to The Mitchel Principles in 1997, those Principles had no effect on the Articles of Surrender agreed in the 1994 cease-fire. The 1994 Articles of Surrender excluded Catholics and The Irish Republic, including members of An Garda Siochana.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 10 October, 1997 a Provisional IRA General Army Convention was held in Falcarragh, County Donegal, and was attended by Kevin McKenna, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty, Michael McKevitt, Bernadette McKevitt Sands and so forth.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time the Sinn Fein/PIRA Army Convention was held in Donegal in October 1997, the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership were infiltrated to the point that Agents, Informers and Touts outnumbered actual Sinn Fein/PIRA members. This level of infiltration was fully exposed when Bobby Storey, raided Castlereagh RUC Holding Centre, in 2002, however, no action could be taken as several levels of the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership would have had to be wiped out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Real IRA</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Following, the Sinn Fein/PIRA Convention in Donegal in October 1997, Michael McKevitt who had been Quarter-Master General on The PIRA Army Council, created The Real IRA at a shed in Oldcastle, County Meath. McKevitt was surrounded by members of The PIRA who wanted to continue with a campaign of violence to undermine Gerry Adams whom they viewed as a traitor who had signed up t an arrangement that gave Unionists a veto over the constitutional position of Northern Ireland.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Interestingly, I only parted company with Martin McGuinness following the Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA General Army Convention which was held in Falcarragh, County Donegal, On 10 October, 1997. I parted company with McGuinness as I was advised by members of my extended paternal family in Dundalk and south Armagh, Seamus McKenna, that Michael McKevitt and others were being allowed, by the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership, including Kevin McKenna, Martin McGuinness and Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, to empty PIRA arms dumps as they prepared to set-up The Real IRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I travelled from Belfast to Monaghan at the end of 1997 to ask Kevin McKenna (Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy had just been appointed Chief of Staff of the PIRA – Murphy was no less ruthless than Kevin McKenna but he was easily bought as he was promised by MI6 that his criminal empire would remain untouched by the security forces in the north) why the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership were allowing McKevitt to take explosives, weapons, ammunition and personnel without sanction. Kevin McKenna said;<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“The odd bomb going off here and there would help keep Unionists focused on working with the ‘Doves’”.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT_rVJY7RyC6RI7WgUawEvvU4zH14pCx-OyySP_jmvAAmyArjusBJMbcs6WEkvzDlIifvfFRn4jSUEyYFhwGOrKZIIsr1I3k_F5pFD00jSctk5XDLeJ-82DSNdOGb5IXUN6xyRQqU5gwQlGLs5prKoiNvrp7KkFmBq2OYSsdGLzYg8O_zc-FIfQ/s937/KevinMcKennaIRA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT_rVJY7RyC6RI7WgUawEvvU4zH14pCx-OyySP_jmvAAmyArjusBJMbcs6WEkvzDlIifvfFRn4jSUEyYFhwGOrKZIIsr1I3k_F5pFD00jSctk5XDLeJ-82DSNdOGb5IXUN6xyRQqU5gwQlGLs5prKoiNvrp7KkFmBq2OYSsdGLzYg8O_zc-FIfQ/s320/KevinMcKennaIRA.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;">Kevin McKenna, PIRA Chief of Staff, 1983-1997/98</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Normally anyone who misused or misappropriated as much a bullet belonging to The PIRA was court-martialled and punishment administered, two of the disappeared had allegedly mis-used a single gun belonging to the PIRA.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I was devastated by Kevin’s answer as I had put a lot of work into the peace-process and I had convinced a lot of people to give Sinn Fein a chance to move away from violence. Kevin McKenna and the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership had decided to use The Real IRA as proxies to do their dirty-work, just as they had done with many proxy groups over the years. This tactic would back-fire with the Omagh Bomb, and only then did the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership condemn the so called ‘Dissidents’.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Martina Anderson MLA used her position as MEP to lobby The Irish Government not to extradite Omagh Bomber, Liam Campbell, yet again exposing the lie of so called ‘Dissidents’. Sinn Fein members on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council supported a call by Republican Sinn Fein/CIRA not to extradite Omagh Bomber, Liam Campbell.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While there are many examples of the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sinn-fein-not-to-encourage-republicans-to-give-information-on-omagh-bombers-1.1092107"><span style="color: #1fab65; text-decoration-line: none;">hand in glove </span></a>relationship between Sinn Fein/PIRA and so called ‘dissidents’, the examples above, are good recent examples, that expose the Truth about The Omagh Bomb in 1998.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When Kevin McKenna told me that Sinn Fein/PIRA were arming The Real IRA to use them as proxies, I changed tactic, in March 1998, I gave an exclusive front-page story to The Sunday Times in which I described my time in Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan and the Ethnic Cleansing strategy developed and operationalised by Jim Lynagh and the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership in 1986.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJlYBSLM1Z9k4_jqQes4aajeSkaPlAEZwqtjN7MHkpionkXifMQfjWNIUV7CHh3Z6vX46YECVgHiJEWPCpAf3pudrEfmKhn2DPwQdIkK53Gg2wH2kNoR9AbFWoZfYek4C_HD38E593Puvi2pPhOb9MiolxdwEtfPHk8V9_4-MIaEGlZ3EjaliUw/s3648/DSCF1108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJlYBSLM1Z9k4_jqQes4aajeSkaPlAEZwqtjN7MHkpionkXifMQfjWNIUV7CHh3Z6vX46YECVgHiJEWPCpAf3pudrEfmKhn2DPwQdIkK53Gg2wH2kNoR9AbFWoZfYek4C_HD38E593Puvi2pPhOb9MiolxdwEtfPHk8V9_4-MIaEGlZ3EjaliUw/s320/DSCF1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In March 1998, I went to war with Sinn Fein/PIRA on the parades issue, I had known from 1996 that Sinn Fein/PIRA had manufactured opposition to Loyal Order parades and I had tried to convince them that this was wrong on all levels. I had initially engaged with all parties involved in the parades issue and some good work was done, however, Sinn Fein/PIRA were not reciprocating the bold moves being made by the Loyal Orders.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2BXR3LUc8VKMrjdZhZq0cmLdyhTNwM7lzv6PrNT2lVnjBZo5S9pySp4I_jbDhyV3mBi4XlwzmecvdTIaywN2ODmbnrMGzJbYljCRfRbbfSc7gl2XEuYi0rqODpWrMGitty7jfJyJuwSF-05XXGH26K-61UtN-EB_GT1FgbTHL6KEC9DBFx1TRw/s3648/DSCF1185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2BXR3LUc8VKMrjdZhZq0cmLdyhTNwM7lzv6PrNT2lVnjBZo5S9pySp4I_jbDhyV3mBi4XlwzmecvdTIaywN2ODmbnrMGzJbYljCRfRbbfSc7gl2XEuYi0rqODpWrMGitty7jfJyJuwSF-05XXGH26K-61UtN-EB_GT1FgbTHL6KEC9DBFx1TRw/s320/DSCF1185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the following months and years, I would be subject to many attacks for the stand I had taken, as it was not simply a stand against Sinn Fein/PIRA but also a stand against the See, Hear and Speak no Evil Brigade. Stormont was a goldmine and the peace process was being sponsored by hundreds of millions from America and The EU.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I spoke with Bill Clinton’s key-advisor, Ron Browne, when Ron was in Belfast with Bill Clinton. I asked Ron, why America was prepared to give $260,000,000 to an untested process. Ron said that corporate America viewed Ireland as a steppingstone in to mainland European Markets. So American interest more about the bottom-line than ending human rights violations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpc0eWv4nloYdA44gomh9B_X9BT6BNlQjsdzM42HrvCOjip8mYwGFKNSrQqUjo7XimK47h_DgsT6CQTix4KTB1CXo-PuvnFaN85xnRfjueLdnrGrVqZHRGjxQ_XY14wC-H9zIaN0D5GZw38fjDItbz7KKPnOuxkH1o4TWglKEhPOvrGFtiyXEvA/s3648/DSCF1833.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpc0eWv4nloYdA44gomh9B_X9BT6BNlQjsdzM42HrvCOjip8mYwGFKNSrQqUjo7XimK47h_DgsT6CQTix4KTB1CXo-PuvnFaN85xnRfjueLdnrGrVqZHRGjxQ_XY14wC-H9zIaN0D5GZw38fjDItbz7KKPnOuxkH1o4TWglKEhPOvrGFtiyXEvA/s320/DSCF1833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPmUjxowVGaHdqffNEAweJDhTpDdaDrEga0WMd9G8Uztdc4iiwCW1giVZpsDQa4dA8CiOJqdKg-ywj6XfBaCUBqFDFMq6mMsD8qEXM2F5yYVUC4qcNpeGeph5g19q7438vqQsQ64IoCS4hyCn8KoJRhJiCO4PfKhRF3oS1t88Ub6L0o3noUaUjA/s3648/DSCF1834.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPmUjxowVGaHdqffNEAweJDhTpDdaDrEga0WMd9G8Uztdc4iiwCW1giVZpsDQa4dA8CiOJqdKg-ywj6XfBaCUBqFDFMq6mMsD8qEXM2F5yYVUC4qcNpeGeph5g19q7438vqQsQ64IoCS4hyCn8KoJRhJiCO4PfKhRF3oS1t88Ub6L0o3noUaUjA/s320/DSCF1834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Real IRA as Proxie</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">While on the 31<sup> </sup>of August 1994 The PIRA Army Council issued a general press statement declaring their cease-fire, through P. O’Neil, This press statement did not contain any meat on the bones of the Articles of Surrender of the PIRA cease-fire, the detailed Articles of Surrender which have never been altered to this day were delivered by Martin McGuinness to MI6.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There was in fact a twin-track approach, The Good Friday Agreement did not mirror the Articles of Surrender of The PIRA cease-fire. The Good Friday Agreement did not contain any detail about ‘Comfort Letters’, it did not contain any detail about Sinn Fein/PIRA being allowed to continue Human Rights abuses against the Catholic community (including murder and rape) and so forth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The latter is why, The British Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, stated in 1999 that the murder of Charles Bennett by The PIRA was not viewed as a breach of The PIRA cease-fire but was viewed by the British as “Internal-House-keeping”.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBC8yERoCAL3qE_EC3GVEfhzyUR-Cy5QyiqhhEZpFafkmgd-BAHMu81mjFOy5S-mM6NmhmXnjtCgxvmYBqS7BMzLl6DfqAXnib8Wj_ImzeGXELd92aZ9EexRgkJXY1pMjfYWQi5I64W48aDaWGZWRglm-VNbCy6a9Bk7xtmAggGE2uUDOrxSEiA/s3648/DSCF1114.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBC8yERoCAL3qE_EC3GVEfhzyUR-Cy5QyiqhhEZpFafkmgd-BAHMu81mjFOy5S-mM6NmhmXnjtCgxvmYBqS7BMzLl6DfqAXnib8Wj_ImzeGXELd92aZ9EexRgkJXY1pMjfYWQi5I64W48aDaWGZWRglm-VNbCy6a9Bk7xtmAggGE2uUDOrxSEiA/s320/DSCF1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, tried to under-mine my efforts and the efforts of others, by offering a false sense of security to those who has suffered at the hands of Sinn Fein/PIRA and Loyalist terrorists for decades, when on, Wednesday 20 May, 1998, Blair delivered a speech at the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster in which he unveiled a hand-written set of pledges to the people of Ireland in advance of the Referendum on 22 May, 1998.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>The text of the pledges was as follows:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“I pledge to the people of Northern Ireland:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">1. No change in the status of Northern Ireland without the express consent of the people of Northern Ireland.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Power to take decisions returned to a Northern Ireland Assembly, with accountable North/South co-operation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">3. Fairness and equality guaranteed for all.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">4. Those who use or threaten violence excluded from the Government of Northern Ireland.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">5. Prisoners kept in unless violence is given up for good”.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Omagh Bomb</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On the 15 August, 1998, 29 people were murdered and over 200 injured in Omagh, County Tyrone, by a Real IRA Bomb that had the DNA of three organisations.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Leadership of Sinn Fein/PIRA would reinstate their agreed cease-fire with MI6, and while Sinn Fein/PIRA would no longer attack British Military, their Racist campaign against the Protestant community would continue, although by means of different tactics.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sinn Fein/PIRA would also use their now redundant murders to take iron fist control of those communities in which Sinn Fein/PIRA engaged in whole sale criminality including murder and rape.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKikZhg3n8RJkWuGr9NVetXR9c03BAoJsJj-yvzQHVQnlvowBoEc4whnQzvl63UkqTzF9Q6J08Bzay5WBwwOtYjW02L7Y5UIF5i7hI1lzFB2Z2kWU7BD5Cnbi6xYgAjTFJsshHuk81Kv0v5f7doSOI9sHyIRQfVhbJME5q_4c5utKd6f-HyO4eKg/s320/PIRAShooting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="320" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKikZhg3n8RJkWuGr9NVetXR9c03BAoJsJj-yvzQHVQnlvowBoEc4whnQzvl63UkqTzF9Q6J08Bzay5WBwwOtYjW02L7Y5UIF5i7hI1lzFB2Z2kWU7BD5Cnbi6xYgAjTFJsshHuk81Kv0v5f7doSOI9sHyIRQfVhbJME5q_4c5utKd6f-HyO4eKg/s1600/PIRAShooting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Omagh bombing was a car bombing on 15 August 1998 in the town of Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It was carried out by a group calling themselves the Real Irish Republican Army, a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) splinter group who opposed the IRA's ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement. The bombing killed 29 people (including a woman pregnant with twins) and injured some 220 others, making it the deadliest single incident of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Telephoned warnings had been sent almost 40 minutes beforehand but were inaccurate, and police had inadvertently moved people toward the bomb.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The bombing caused outrage both locally and internationally, and in that outrage the Truth was lost, and political spin directed from Whitehall won the day. The Real IRA denied that the bomb was intended to kill civilians and apologised, shortly after, the group declared a ceasefire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The victims included people of many backgrounds and ages, Protestants, Catholics, six teenagers, six children, a woman pregnant with twins, two Spanish tourists and others on a day trip from the Republic of Ireland. Both unionists and Irish nationalists were killed and injured. As a result of the bombing, new anti-terrorism laws were swiftly enacted by both the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Sinn Fein/PIRA tactic of using The Real IRA as proxies to force unionists into a power-sharing Assembly had back-fired, although the political spin did present Sinn Fein/PIRA as the 'Doves', in the 'republican' menagerie of murder.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It has been alleged that the British, Irish and US intelligence agencies had information which could have prevented the bombing, most of which came from double agents inside the Real IRA, but this information was not given to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2008, the BBC reported that British intelligence agency GCHQ was monitoring conversations between the bombers as the bomb was being driven into Omagh.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">A 2001 report by the Police Ombudsman said that the RUC Special Branch failed to act on prior warnings and criticised the RUC's investigation of the bombing. Police reportedly obtained circumstantial and coincidental evidence against some suspects, but they were unable to convict anyone of the bombing. Colm Murphy was tried, and convicted. He was released on appeal after it was revealed that Garda Special Branch Detectives, Donnelly and Fahy based in Monaghan Town, forged interview notes used in the case.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Murphy's nephew Sean Hoey, was also tried but was acquitted. In June 2009, the victims' families won a £1.6 million civil action settlement against four defendants, who were found liable for the bombing. In 2014, Seamus Daly was charged with the murder of 29 people; however, the case against him was withdrawn in 2016. All of the above had been named by me in 1998.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Real IRA's tactics were the same as those of the PIRA before it. It targeted the British security forces and also carried out bombings of symbolic or economic targets. The goal was to damage the economy and cause severe disruption, to put pressure on the British government to withdraw. Warnings were sent before such bombings, along with a code-word so that the authorities would know it was genuine. The Real IRA began its paramilitary campaign with an attempted car bombing in Banbridge, County Down on 7 January, 1998.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The 300 pounds (140 kg) explosive was defused by security forces. Over the following months, it mounted several car bomb and mortar attacks. There were attacks or attempted attacks in Moira, Portadown, Armagh, Newry, Lisburn, Belfast, and Belleek, as well as another car bombing in Banbridge on 1<sup> </sup>August, 1998, which caused thirty-five injuries but no deaths. Banbridge was not condemned by Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Omagh bombing took place 13 weeks after the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998 was signed. Intended to be a comprehensive solution to the Troubles, it had broad support both in Ireland and internationally. While The Good Friday Agreement offered a blue-print for an agreed settlement, it was the Dirty-Deal done between the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership and MI6 that would and continues to under-mine confidence in The Good Friday Agreement.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 13 August, 1998, a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier was stolen from outside a block of flats in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Republic of Ireland, by Paddy Dixon, a Garda informer, who was being handled by Garda Sgt John White.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">At that time, it bore the County Donegal registration number of 91 DL 2554. The bombers replaced its Republic of Ireland number plates with fake Northern Ireland plates (MDZ 5211), and loaded the car with about 500 pounds (230 kg) of fertiliser-based explosives. The boaster pack was filled with Provisional IRA commercial explosives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On Saturday 15 August, 1998, the bomb car was driven from County Monaghan, by Seamus McKenna, across the Irish border to Omagh, travelling north and west. A 'scout car' drove ahead of the bomb car to warn it of any checkpoints, and the two cars were in constant contact by mobile phone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">At 14:19, the bomb car was parked outside S.D. Kells' clothes shop on Omagh's Market Street, at the eastern edge of the town centre, near the crossroads with Dublin Road. The driver, Seamus McKenna, could not find a parking space near the intended target, Omagh Courthouse, the scene of previous Provisional IRA attacks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Seamus McKenna and his young Real IRA apprentice, armed the bomb and set the timer to detonate it in 40 minutes. They left the car and walked east down-Market Street towards Campsie Road, before leaving Omagh in the scout car. A family of Spanish tourists happened to take photos by the car. The photographer died in the bombing, but the man and child in the photograph survived.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The car with false registration plates had been stolen by Garda Informer, Paddy Dixon. Paddy Dixon was injured in a Real IRA bomb attack in Navan in County Meath in 2011.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Paddy Dixon's Address had been provided to The Real IRA by a member of Sinn Fein/PIRA, as part of a deal to ensure that Gerry Adams would not be opposed in Louth during his campaign to get elected to Dail Eireann. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Gerry Adams also meet with members of The Real IRA Army Council before he ran for election in 2011, in which he gave undertakings in relation to ensuring better conditions for Real IRA prisoners.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_S95WVf_kr9_HoCGgo9qu2WcVuFA4fUpO4hJXS2I2izMuTYURtgi-TQS4cltfarwBbt656t7dFG-RnUIc6Pag8zs6QEst6eTYag78i2AgGvTFLzcqx7qoLbZYvAH-Cy0IXsflJjwZq2DshPTCz8gXZ27ldJjH1Xg5QUBPZIstoB_TlJ5tsaxHA/s323/Omaghbomb1998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="323" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_S95WVf_kr9_HoCGgo9qu2WcVuFA4fUpO4hJXS2I2izMuTYURtgi-TQS4cltfarwBbt656t7dFG-RnUIc6Pag8zs6QEst6eTYag78i2AgGvTFLzcqx7qoLbZYvAH-Cy0IXsflJjwZq2DshPTCz8gXZ27ldJjH1Xg5QUBPZIstoB_TlJ5tsaxHA/s320/Omaghbomb1998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">At around 14:30, three phone calls were made warning of a bomb in Omagh, using the same codeword that had been used in the Real IRA's bombing in Banbridge two weeks earlier: "Martha Pope”, it is believed that this code-word was chosen by a female member of The Real IRA Leadership. The calls were made from telephone boxes many miles away in south Armagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The first warning was telephoned to Ulster Television saying, "There's a bomb, courthouse, Omagh, main street, 500lb, explosion 30 minutes". One minute later, the office received a second warning saying, "Bomb, Omagh town, 15 minutes". The caller claimed the warning on behalf of "Óglaigh na hÉireann".</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The next minute, the Coleraine office of the Samaritans received a call stating that a bomb would go off on the "main street" of Omagh "about 200 yards" (180m) from the courthouse. The recipients passed on the information to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The BBC News stated that police "were clearing an area near the local courthouse, 40 minutes after receiving a telephone warning, when the bomb detonated. But the warning was unclear and the wrong area was evacuated". The warnings mentioned "main street" when there was no street by that name in Omagh, although Market Street–High Street was the town's main shopping street. It runs for hundreds of yards east–west from the site of the bomb to the courthouse. <br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Given the warnings, police believed the bomb was near the courthouse, so they evacuated the surrounding buildings and streets. As it happened, they moved people away from the courthouse and towards the site of the bomb, placing a cordon at Scarffe's Entry. The courthouse is roughly 365 yards (334m) from the spot where the car bomb was parked. During the later Special Criminal Court trial of Real IRA Director Michael McKevitt, witnesses for the prosecution said that the inaccurate warnings were accidental.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Conclusion</span></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On the 25 Anniversary of Omagh, this submission is as close as anyone will ever get to the truth, the information in this submission was made fully available in 1998, but the Truth was buried for political expediency.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I am well aware, that certain operations were allowed to run over the years to protect informants, my key concern with Banbridge and Omagh is the bizarre and criminal efforts that have been made to silence at least one of the messengers.<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1998 great efforts were made to silence me, I told the public, that the Sinn Fein/PIRA Leadership had armed The Real IRA to use them as proxies, I publicly named those involved in The Omagh Bomb including those at Leadership level in Sinn Fein/PIRA who had taken the decision to arm The Real IRA. I also told the public that nobody would ever be convicted of The Omagh Bomb, 25 years later, who is the liar now?<br /><!--[endif]--></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE</span></u></b><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">:</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> <b>On an RTÉ radio show Morning Ireland in February 2008, Dr Martin Mansergh reassured listeners that Bertie Ahern's difficulties were no more than a spot of "inflight turbulence" with a safe landing in sight. When Fine Gael's, Tribunal Expert, Senator Eugene Regan dissented, Mansergh became quite agitated, questioning why Regan wanted to question Bertie Ahern's finances declaring to Regan that: "You should have respect for your betters!"<br /><!--[endif]--></b></span><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTE: Paddy Dixon Garda Informer:</span></u></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Initially, I had not included Monaghan based Garda Informer, Paddy Dixon in this post, mainly because I find much of what has been said about him to be difficult to comprehend. Articles written in the early 2000s said he had been placed on the Witness Protection Program and living on the Continent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Yet, Paddy was to be found living openly in Navan in County Meath in 2011, a long-established Sinn Fein/PIRA base, built up over many years by Joe O’Reilly, with many Real IRA living within a stone’s throw of Navan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In fact, Paddy could have continued to live quietly in Navan if his location had not been traded by members of Sinn Fein/PIRA with the Real IRA so that Gerry Adams could have a bump free run for Arthur Morgan’s seat in County Louth, where Gerry had been parachuted in for the 2011 General Election. There was never any threat against Gerry from his old comrade Bernadette McKevitt-Sands, however, any type of unpleasantness could cost much needed votes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Paddy Dixon was a car thief, who we are told began working as an informer for An Garda Siochana in 1992 when he would steal cars to order for The PIRA.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We are then told that Paddy Dixon graduated to The Real IRA in 1998, and was the most important police informer inside the Real IRA in the crucial months leading up to the 1998 Omagh bombing, in which 29 innocent men, women and children were murdered as were unborn twins.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is alleged by various sources, including Paddy Dixon, that senior Garda Officers allowed the Omagh Bomb to run in order to protect Dixon’s position in The Real IRA. Yet, a tape recording produced to support these assertions has Dixon telling his Garda Handler:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"The Omagh investigation is going to blow up in their faces".</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This reference to the ‘Omagh Investigation’ shows that this recording is made after the Omagh Bomb. Paddy Dixon also claims that:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Every (PIRA) terrorist operation he knew about was compromised”</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It is stated by Garda Detective Sgt John White who died in 2020, that he had warned senior Garda Officers about the Omagh Bomb a few days before it exploded. However, Garda Detective John White was found wanting by both The Morris Tribunal (Garda Corruption in Donegal) and The Nally Report, which investigated John White’s claims that he had warned senior officers about The Omagh Bomb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">John White was Paddy Dixon’s Handler when Dixon was stealing cars for the PIRA. In early 1998, Garda Detective Sergeant, John White, returned to Paddy Dixon and recruited Dixon again so that he could infiltrate The Real IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When it became apparent in the third week of January, 1998 that the Real IRA was about to launch a major terror offensive, Sgt John White asked Paddy Dixon to offer his services to the Real IRA. Dixon had a long-standing connection with a republican in south County Dublin known as 'the Long Fellow'. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sgt White suggested, under orders from senior Garda command, that his old agent reactivate his relationship with 'The Long Fellow' who owned a breaker's yard in south Dublin where Dixon's stolen cars were re-plated and huge explosive devices were secreted inside the vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the next seven months the Dixon/White axis would give the Garda vital insight into the Real IRA terror machine. Between February and August 1998 Dixon gave the force inside information on <b>at least nine separate Real IRA attacks </b>culminating in the bomb at Omagh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In total, five Real IRA bombing missions were thwarted, thanks to Dixon's intelligence and White's diligence. But in order to give Dixon credibility within the terrorist organisation, White's superiors in the Garda ordered that a number of attacks be allowed through. They included a massive bomb attack that devastated Moira in February, 1998. No one died in the blast, but the next bombs to be allowed through, however, would have far more serious consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On 2 July, 1998, Dixon rang White to say he had another phone call from 'The Long Fellow'. He told Dixon that he wanted another car for a bombing, warning that this was to be a big one, <b>a real spectacular</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Dixon rang White again on <b>10 August, 1998</b>. He said he was to arrange a car theft for the following day. White then met two senior Garda officers hours later at a pub in west Dublin. His description of the fateful meeting was vividly conveyed to detectives from Northern Ireland several months later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">White's superior said that Dixon was now under severe pressure from the Real IRA in South Armagh. The officer then supped his pint and said to White:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“John, we are going to let this one go through”</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When Garda Detective Sergeant, John White asked his superior:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“What if anyone is killed?”</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The senior officer dismissed White’s concerns pointing to the Real IRA's inability to inflict casualties on the security forces north of the border.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As late as <b>14 August, 1998</b>, the day before the Omagh bombing, Dixon was in constant contact with White. 'The Long Fellow' said it would <b>take place within 24 hours</b>. Dixon said that a car, a Vauxhall, had been stolen. With hours to go before that car (it later emerged it was a Vauxhall Cavalier) was eventually driven over the frontier and into Omagh, <b>White implored his superiors to act</b>. But he was simply told again that it had to go through.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">White's testimony to both the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Nuala O'Loan, the Police Ombudsman in the Province, was devastating. The Garda should have run a check on all stolen cars on <b>14 August, 1998</b>, especially those that had gone missing near the border.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Moreover, Dixon had said the car was for a bomb and the breaker's yard where all Real IRA devices were mixed and put into vehicles had been under <b>round-the-clock surveillance</b> since White reactivated his agent in early 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Both Nuala O'Loan and Superintendent Norman Baxter of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the officer in charge of the Omagh inquiry, were convinced that White was telling the truth. Baxter's team spent three days in July 2002 debriefing White.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Dixon was never been questioned either by O'Loan's officers or, more crucially, the PSNI's Omagh Inquiry team.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Michael Gallagher, whose son was killed at Omagh and a spokesman for some of the victims' families, said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“The puzzle remains - why won't the Garda let Paddy Dixon talk to the PSNI?”</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Exhibit 1</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuA1Y3WDzPa9Bed6aM02FZcZe0tzapJvpt0RPEWetw-gGgckipN4y0Uh3Ap0xSqkOS2qfC5YCXCgJdzVymwH6hVneOQFOHWWS3n33JHkdsvnk_iSWV6553TVuDZt5fibxqKNPJ_TIevxukUQ_Co-vQzHMrwFP1kT9vT8H4dOtF0aznB_pA1J3yg/s3648/MI6CommunicationbetweenOatelyandMcGuinness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuA1Y3WDzPa9Bed6aM02FZcZe0tzapJvpt0RPEWetw-gGgckipN4y0Uh3Ap0xSqkOS2qfC5YCXCgJdzVymwH6hVneOQFOHWWS3n33JHkdsvnk_iSWV6553TVuDZt5fibxqKNPJ_TIevxukUQ_Co-vQzHMrwFP1kT9vT8H4dOtF0aznB_pA1J3yg/s320/MI6CommunicationbetweenOatelyandMcGuinness.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Communication from MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley to Martin McGuinness 1993. Initially denied by McGuinness and Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA, later accepted by both and placed on the Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA website. Sinn Fein/PIRA explained the Communication as part of an official line of communication between MI6 and Sinn Fein/PIRA, it was not.</span></b></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><p></p><h3>FREE e-Books</h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/01/history-of-ira.html">Irish Republicanism in the 20th/21st Century</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/01/sex-crime-ireland.html">Sex Crime Ireland a Definitive History</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.theirishobserver.com/">Voice from The Grave PIRA Hunger -Striker Sean McKenna</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.theirishobserver.com/vincent-mckenna-msc/">MSc Thesis by Vincent 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href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/01/sinn-fein-provisional-ira-monaghan-town.html">https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/01/sinn-fein-provisional-ira-monaghan-town.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/01/sas-provisional-ira-sinn-fein-loughgall.html">https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2021/01/sas-provisional-ira-sinn-fein-loughgall.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-2020-sinn-feinprovisional-ira.html">https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-2020-sinn-feinprovisional-ira.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/12/queen-elizabeth-dublin-visit-2011.html">https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/12/queen-elizabeth-dublin-visit-2011.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/11/continuity-ira-mi5-sentences.html">https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/11/continuity-ira-mi5-sentences.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal">https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2020/11/medical-rape-irish-medical-council.html</p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-78501330099356112552020-08-18T09:13:00.002-07:002020-08-25T02:41:38.306-07:00New IRA Arrests<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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New IRA Arrests</h3>
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In recent months The New IRA, Continuity IRA and The PIRA have been particularly active in the border region. The Centenary Celebrations in Northern Ireland in 2021 have become a particular focus, with all groups opposed to the creation of Northern Ireland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65SvuwkTbNJ8NNIB2Wxc8eXbcIbV56NagNQTw9yYVuaiSix6HvjL5sEYz47wCWGmgn7RcqRIHx4K1sCXCui4I_WrDap6kc0TYXPdbfTTaCK-zA6vD4stA-4XPAN5RH7j8-WHJ7ctlUw/s1600/NewIRAArrests.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65SvuwkTbNJ8NNIB2Wxc8eXbcIbV56NagNQTw9yYVuaiSix6HvjL5sEYz47wCWGmgn7RcqRIHx4K1sCXCui4I_WrDap6kc0TYXPdbfTTaCK-zA6vD4stA-4XPAN5RH7j8-WHJ7ctlUw/s320/NewIRAArrests.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is also known that Sinn Fein/PIRA are seeking a distraction as many within their ranks are concerned that a split is emerging following comments by long serving Sinn Fein/PIRA member Francie Molloy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5lRi63lZaLROvUtZvUqbteHdiduNzjU9_rPCF9cFlmUoZ1moVX6k0fb5R0MVCLnxLIytlAqSJ6Qpg_QPPjDEdgMiCbusuPFxs3TVE-UYfnuPiHR8XfQpxFN1ADcTxZ5ztVflYKMrHw/s1600/FrancieMollySinnFein.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="520" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5lRi63lZaLROvUtZvUqbteHdiduNzjU9_rPCF9cFlmUoZ1moVX6k0fb5R0MVCLnxLIytlAqSJ6Qpg_QPPjDEdgMiCbusuPFxs3TVE-UYfnuPiHR8XfQpxFN1ADcTxZ5ztVflYKMrHw/s320/FrancieMollySinnFein.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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In 2011 a number of groups including The Real IRA and PIRA came together in a plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Dublin in that year, the plan was thwarted when An Garda Siochana intercepted an explosive device in Dorset Street.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57LTcCeJ9QeB5-b0eZ4dgzlmdTYL-Laimhffte5GOAx2A1IKcSybjZe3QYoFaqxgeO1_ek4Klo-A0aihyt3Y3c7v85Xh5FMr77eNQYRSecaamG4rCUmz4IqxJamsgMvWO-e-o0-cMsg/s1600/QueenElizabeth2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57LTcCeJ9QeB5-b0eZ4dgzlmdTYL-Laimhffte5GOAx2A1IKcSybjZe3QYoFaqxgeO1_ek4Klo-A0aihyt3Y3c7v85Xh5FMr77eNQYRSecaamG4rCUmz4IqxJamsgMvWO-e-o0-cMsg/s1600/QueenElizabeth2011.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Up Date 25/8/2020</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A 62-year-old man living in Scotland has become the 10th person to be charged in the MI5/PSNI operation against the New IRA. He will appear at Laganside Court on Tuesday.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjDBlZTVRPAn_MzDiyn0GTfxqxG1IW0jWDHRM0LtSZqK5dCMmd3IQEy9vgorwmWdXZFzdZFyWH3q2yStccgd_9-MMcP61G7J2-fUws-kXFSa8t16q5W1ENdkmEHOR-wUd7-4Dw9lE1Q/s1600/Palestinianchargednewira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjDBlZTVRPAn_MzDiyn0GTfxqxG1IW0jWDHRM0LtSZqK5dCMmd3IQEy9vgorwmWdXZFzdZFyWH3q2yStccgd_9-MMcP61G7J2-fUws-kXFSa8t16q5W1ENdkmEHOR-wUd7-4Dw9lE1Q/s320/Palestinianchargednewira.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Update 24/8/2020</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A Palestinian man was being questioned in Belfast last night as part of a major MI5 surveillance operation stretching from Co Tyrone to Scotland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The 62-year-old was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday and flown to Belfast later that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It is understood that although originally from Palestine, he had been living in Edinburgh in recent years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A property in the city was searched as part of the operation on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Police were yesterday given a further 36 hours to question the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Irish Observer understands that as part of the surveillance operation, MI5 bugged two properties in Co Tyrone and also recorded conversations held in Scotland.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPgn51Ke8Yh-_n7W2AD4i2Wk7xvP9v0Iz2OqDl84756ReHFg_u3ZbyFyhV5sckwXeEqgXj9XKOgc68xCBmxiqS0AE4klFGM94ygU2bh_N5hEXcqomNCjSmPV2o3kdyqkQKyKdyQdh_g/s1600/Newiracharged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="884" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPgn51Ke8Yh-_n7W2AD4i2Wk7xvP9v0Iz2OqDl84756ReHFg_u3ZbyFyhV5sckwXeEqgXj9XKOgc68xCBmxiqS0AE4klFGM94ygU2bh_N5hEXcqomNCjSmPV2o3kdyqkQKyKdyQdh_g/s320/Newiracharged.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Palestinian man was arrested as part of Operation Arbacia, which is investigating the activities of the 'IRA', often referred to as the 'New IRA'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It is understood he was known to Dennis McFadden, who is originally from Scotland and is now suspected of being an agent at the centre of the operation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">No-one has been able to contact him since nine people - seven men and two women - were arrested in Derry, Tyrone and Armagh last week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It has emerged the surveillance operation involved the bugging of two meetings in Co Tyrone earlier this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It is understood they took place at separate locations and that both audio and video evidence has been gathered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It has been alleged that the Palestinian national was in attendance at one of the meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">He has previously addressed an Ard Fheis of republican party Saoradh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It is alleged that the chief of staff and chairman of the 'IRA' addressed members of the organisation's executive at both Co Tyrone meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A solicitor representing one of those arrested has said around 500 PSNI officers were involved in the operation, which has secured 36 hours of recordings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On Wednesday police were granted an extra 72 hours to question the original nine arrested, who range in age from 26 to 50.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Two men, Shea Reynolds from Lurgan and Paddy McDaid from Derry, appeared in court on Saturday charged with a range of offences including directing terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Those who remain in custody include Co Tyrone men Kevin Barry Murphy, Damien McLaughlin, David Jordan and his wife Sharon Jordan, Derry men Joe Barr and Gary Hayden along with Lurgan woman and Saoradh vice-chair Mandy Duffy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The two women along with the Derry men and Damien McLaughlin are due to appear in court in Belfast today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Meanwhile, a sixth person was charged late last night with terrorism offences. Officers charged a 49-year-old man from Dungannon with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Police were granted an extra 36 hours to continue questioning two remaining on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Properties in Dublin, Laois, Cork and Kerry were also searched by gardaí as part of the cross-border operation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It is understood that others are also still wanted in connection with the investigation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><br /></b><b>Up Date 23/8/2020</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">THE use of MI5 in covert surveillance to snare dissident republicans is not a new tactic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Kevin Barry Murphy, Damien McLaughlin, Mandy Duffy, Davy Jordan, Sharon Jordan, Shea Reynolds, Gary Hayden, Joe Barr, Paddy McDaid.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKzNZuy-sMvRFkZGN4tgRAnA3k25fFq535S6Tq2axR9HxObPHJYTZ3gmbI0VrNlph6JkrqQR1RQvgRpJY9NleAIrIKDsP_gVIRAgkjr2fKK0fVccDOkfNLkmIrZDAxIC6Wq99KMTEsA/s1600/DennisMcFaddenMI5Agent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKzNZuy-sMvRFkZGN4tgRAnA3k25fFq535S6Tq2axR9HxObPHJYTZ3gmbI0VrNlph6JkrqQR1RQvgRpJY9NleAIrIKDsP_gVIRAgkjr2fKK0fVccDOkfNLkmIrZDAxIC6Wq99KMTEsA/s1600/DennisMcFaddenMI5Agent.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Dennis McFadden alleged MI5 Agent</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Earlier this year seven men pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a bugging operation against the Continuity IRA in Newry that had taken place in 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A number of other senior republicans linked to the New IRA are currently also before the courts as a result of allegations linked to MI5 surveillance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As the technology and techniques used by intelligence agencies become more sophisticated you would imagine that those who know they are in the sights of the spooks would also up their game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">However, up to nine people now could be charged with a number of serious offences linked to the so-called New IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The bugging used to make a case against the group is believed to be of the highest standard, recordings crystal clear, cameras planted all over two 'safe houses', linked to a man alleged to be a double agent but trusted by the suspects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">That man, not originally from Northern Ireland, has since left his Belfast home but was often seen in the company of senior republicans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It seems that the MI5, PSNI and An Garda Síochána are seeking to neutralise the New IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Those currently arrested range in age between 26-50 and are widely considered to be the most politically active dissident republicans in the north.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">They include well-known names and faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Kevin Barry Murphy from Coalisland, once described in court as the leader of the Real IRA in east Tyrone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Damien McLaughlin, also from Tyrone, who was cleared in 2018 of charges linked to the murder of prison officer David Black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Co Armagh woman Mandy Duffy, a chairperson of the New IRA's political wing Saoradh, and a sister in law of veteran republican Colin Duffy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">David Jordan, sentenced to seven years in 2010 for dissident activity in the Republic. He was previously named as a person of interest regarding the 2009 attack at Massereene army barracks in which two soldiers were murdered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">His wife Sharon Jordan, formerly Rafferty, who was one of a gang of four jailed in 2014 for a string of offences including the setting up of a training camp at Formil Wood near Omagh, Co Tyrone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Shea Reynolds, from Lurgan, the youngest of the nine, was previously charged with being part of a terror plot targeting a retired PSNI officer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Gary Hayden from Derry, who was convicted last year of taking part in an illegal parade organised by Saoradh in the Creggan estate in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Saoradh Derry chairman Joe Barr, also convicted of taking part in the 2018 parade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Paddy McDaid from Derry, who in 2013 he was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence after he was found guilty of managing a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Charged are expected to be brought over the weekend on the back of the evidence collected during two separate covert operations by MI5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">If found guilty those involved face lengthy prison sentences, a blow to the New IRA and a massive coup for the intelligence services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Kevin Barry Murphy, Damien McLaughlin, Mandy Duffy, Davy Jordan, Sharon Jordan, Shea Reynolds, Gary Hayden, Joe Barr, Paddy McDaid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><br /></b><b>Up Date 23/8/2020</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The New IRA was told two years ago that the suspected informant who is now accused of setting up senior dissident republicans for arrest at bugged safe houses was in the pay of the security services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">They dismissed these claims because the individual, who fled his home last week prior to a series of high-profile arrests, was close to leading west Belfast republican Tony 'TC' Catney.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The convicted killer and former Provo life sentence prisoner, who died from cancer in 2014, helped form the New IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Up Date 22/8/2020</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A major surveillance operation targeting the 'IRA' involved the bugging of two meetings earlier this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It is understood the meetings were held at separate locations in Co Tyrone and that both audio and video evidence has been gathered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Ciarán Shiels, of Madden and Finucane Solicitors, who represents one of those arrested last night said it is alleged that the Chief of Staff and chairman of the 'IRA', which is sometimes referred to as the New IRA, addressed members of the organisation's executive at both meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Shiels said that around 500 PSNI officers were involved in the operation which has secured 36 hours of recordings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The solicitor added that an emerging issue centres on the possible activity of a British agent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The seven men and two women were arrested in early morning raids in Derry, Tyrone and Armagh on Tuesday as part of operation police have called Arbacia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On Wednesday police were granted and extra 72 hours to questions the nine, who range in age from 26 to 50.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Properties in Dublin, Laois Cork and Kerry were also searched by gardai as part of the cross-border operation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Irish News understands that others are wanted in connection with the investigation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Four offices across the north used by hardline republican party Saoradh were also raided by the police on Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Some of those arrested are members of the party's national executive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Police on both sides of the border have said the arrests and searches are linked to an investigation focusing on the activities of the New IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Irish News understands the first meeting, at a rented property between Cookstown and Omagh, took place in February.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sophisticated cameras and listening devices are believed to have been located throughout the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A second meeting is understood to have taken place at a property in the Gortin area last month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Again, it is understood conversations between those attending were recorded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Meanwhile, it is understood that a west Belfast man who may have had a role in arranging the meetings has not been seen since the middle of this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sources say that the contents of his home were packed into a removal van on Wednesday and that friends and acquaintances have been unable to contact him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Shiels said: “An issue that is emerging is the possible activity of a British agent provocateur in connection with the arrangement, facilitation and logistical support for both meetings and entrapment of the individuals said to have attended,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The ‘IRA' is the largest and most active of the armed groups opposed to the Good Friday Agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It was formed in 2012 after a merger between the now defunct Real IRA, Republican Action Against Drugs and a group of independent republicans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Up-Date 22/8/2020</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Two men have been charged under the Terrorism Act as part of an ongoing investigation into the New IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A 50-year-old from Londonderry and a 26-year-old from Lurgan were charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and preparatory acts of terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The 26-year-old was also charged with conspiracy to possess explosives and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">They will appear in court on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said the men had been charged as part of Operation Arbacia, which is "an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seven men and two women, aged between 26 and 50, were arrested on Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Police have until Saturday afternoon to question the seven other people who remain in custody.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The New IRA is considered to be the largest dissident republican group and has been behind numerous attempted attacks on police officers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There has been a renewed focus on its activities since the death of Lyra McKee, shot in 2019.</span></div>
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<b>Initial Arrests </b><br />
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Police have arrested suspected members of the New IRA’s so-called army council in early morning raids across Northern Ireland.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eight men, all believed to be the paramilitary organisation’s highest-ranking members are in custody in Belfast.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A source said: “This was a detailed operation that included areas of Londonderry, east Tyrone and beyond plus the border regions and as far as Cork and Kerry where Gardai colleagues conducted a simultaneous operation in support of PSNI intelligence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This was a massive crackdown on dissident and dissident activity. The volume of arrests and searches could be described as significant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“At least eight people were taken into custody in Northern Ireland by separate arrest teams and each is now under arrest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This has been a significant operation for the intelligence, arrest and support teams in the ongoing fight against dissident republican terrorism. Charges are expected to follow. It has been a good day for Northern Ireland so far.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A PSNI statement said: “Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland have made a number of arrests under the Terrorism Act across<o:p></o:p></div>
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Northern Ireland today in connection with an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gardai conducted six searches in counties Cork, Dublin, Kerry and Laois in support of the PSNI operation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No arrests were made in Ireland during planned and detailed searches of several properties in four counties. The Gardai’s operation has been described as ‘successful and ongoing’.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A statement said: “An Garda Síochána are this morning, 18th August 2020, carrying out a number of searches in support of an operation led by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The searches in this jurisdiction are being carried out at locations in Dublin, Laois, Cork and Kerry and are part of ongoing operations to combat the activities of the New IRA.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The searches are being conducted by members of the Special Detective Unit assisted by local Gardaí and Regional Armed Support Units.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The searches are being conducted by members of the Special Detective Unit assisted by local Gardaí and Regional Armed Support Units.”</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309753.0463133 -6.9057566999999995 53.6532973 -5.6148627tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-90424273727676722392020-07-12T11:04:00.000-07:002020-07-12T11:04:14.861-07:00John Connolly, Continuity IRA, Fermanagh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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John Connolly, Continuity IRA</h3>
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John Connolly is a long serving Republican and have most recently been campaigning to stop the extradition of Liam Campbell. Liam Campbell was one of four men found libel in a civil case for The Omagh Bomb in 1998.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbfcfLn8-k4CnVB8K6A_jR1TMRDjBhBpAiC9mF0HJz2pKXobhzsLP9XwOxB4RZ7KRtb9OH-0IU5xliJ1mRot6hs604LUvnx4nq_5mGILHy5PrP9e1jZpYLJsUyh8eSyxUU-BCzmRszQ/s1600/JohnConnollyContinuityIRA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbfcfLn8-k4CnVB8K6A_jR1TMRDjBhBpAiC9mF0HJz2pKXobhzsLP9XwOxB4RZ7KRtb9OH-0IU5xliJ1mRot6hs604LUvnx4nq_5mGILHy5PrP9e1jZpYLJsUyh8eSyxUU-BCzmRszQ/s320/JohnConnollyContinuityIRA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Real IRA bomber is a leading figure in a campaign to prevent a republican found responsible by a court for the Omagh bomb from standing trial on arms charges in Lithuania.</div>
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<span class="drop-cap fl header-font pr3 pb2" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition-property: var(--t8n_p1);">J</span>ohn Connolly (44) has spent the past week plastering parts of Fermanagh and Cavan with posters in support of Liam Campbell, who faces being extradited to the eastern European nation.</div>
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Connolly - who is now a member of Republican Sinn Fein and is believed to lead the Continuity IRA in the border area - was caged for 14 years in 2000 after being caught with a 220lb Real IRA mortar.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309753.0463133 -6.9057566999999995 53.6532973 -5.6148627tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-79089457341668371672020-04-05T10:28:00.001-07:002020-04-18T06:49:31.322-07:00Loughgall Martyrs 33rd Anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Loughgall Martyrs 33rd </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Anniversary and Gerry Adams</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Was it correct and proper for The PIRA to be surrendered? Yes, it was correct and proper for The PIRA to be surrendered, but not for the reasons advanced by Gerry Adams nor under the Terms and Conditions agreed between Martin McGuinness and his MI6 Handlers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">From a traditional republican perspective, the reason that it was correct and proper to surrender The PIRA was due to the fact that The PIRA had become/and remain </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Black and Tans</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;"> of the latter 20<sup>th</sup> Century and now the 21<sup>st</sup> Century. This does not mean that there were not good men and women who genuinely believed in a cause, however, they were blinkered by that cause and blinded from the treachery, corruption and criminality of their leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">For those of us who were actually in the trenches, the reality of Sinn Fein/PIRA from the mid-1970s onward was in extreme contrast to their publicly stated claims of being the defenders and liberators of the Catholic/Nationalist community in the north. A good example of how The British Security Services dealt with Sinn Fein/PIRA can be found in the manner in which The CIA and FBI dealt with The Communist Party in America in the 1970s. When The Communist Party collapsed in America, there were more paid up members of The CIA and FBI in its ranks than there were actual Communists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">By the time the Sinn Fein/PIRA Army Convention was held in Donegal in October 1997, the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership were infiltrated to the point that Agents, Informers and touts outnumbered actual Sinn Fein/PIRA members. This level of infiltration was fully exposed when Bobby and the lads raided Castlereagh Holding Centre in 2002, however, no action could be taken as several levels of the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership would have had to be wiped out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Those Sinn Fein/PIRA members who had not been compromised sat ideally by while Sinn Fein/PIRA rapists were protected and on many occasions their victims beaten, shot, murdered or exiled. Sinn Fein/PIRA members tied rape victims to lamp-posts and poured paint or tar over them so that other rape victims would not dare to break silence. These were not acts carried out by weak individuals, these were acts directed from the very top of Sinn Fein/PIRA. Dogs on the street knew that Gerry Adams Snr, Ruby Davidson and many others were prolific child rapists, yet they were protected and on the occasions of their deaths afforded full style Sinn Fein/PIRA funerals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Sinn Fein/PIRA mouth-pieces such as Gerry Adams stood at the graveside of PIRA volunteers and lied through their teeth, all of the above and much more is why The PIRA should have been surrendered, The PIRA had become and remain </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Black and Tans</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;"> of the latter 20<sup>th</sup> Century and now the 21<sup>st</sup> Century and no number of apologists will remove that stain. Sinn Fein when they break FREE from The PIRA Army Council and their Handlers, will be entitled to engage in normal politics, but until then they must remain in political self-isolation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Provisional IRA are proxies for their Handlers, they should disband and decommission their MI6 supplied Glocks. The PIRA Army Council should apologise to the Catholic/Nationalist community in the north for the crimes it has committed against them these past 50 years.</span></span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Loughgall Martyrs 33rd Anniversary Background</span></h2>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1986 Martin McGuinness arrived in Smithborough in County Monaghan to meet with Provisional IRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, at that time Kevin McKenna was living with his family on a small holding that was owned by a Sinn Fein/PIRA supporter, Sheila O’Neill. McGuinness had arrived to deliver a message from Sinn Fein/PIRA Headquarters in Belfast, that message was that GHQ had sanctioned a proposed plan to introduce a policy of ‘Ethnic Cleansing’. The plan had been developed by Jim Lynagh while he was in Portlaoise Prison, contrary to the nonsense I have often read, Kevin McKenna was enthusiastic about the plan, I should know I spoke to him regularly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kevin McKenna could trace
his heritage back to Niall McKenna of 1641, who had massacred over 2,000 Protestants
in the Monaghan/Tyrone region while stripping thousands more Protestants of
their belongings and driving them from their homes. While Kevin McKenna was
happy to kill British military personnel, he derived his greatest pleasure from
purely sectarian operations such as Kingsmill (10 Protestants), Enniskillen (12
Protestants), Teebane (8 Protestants) Shankill (10 Protestants dead, 57
Protestants injured). Kevin McKenna never tired of targeting Protestants in his
native Aughnacloy, County Tyrone and while he had murdered a number of
Protestants in Aughnacloy and Monaghan in the 1970s, McKenna failed to carryout
any successful operations in Aughnacloy from 1980 onwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When Martin McGuinness left the meeting with Kevin McKenna, McGuinness was arrested by members of An Garda Siochana. Soon after McGuinness was arrested Garda Headquarters received a call from an MI6 Officer known as Michael Oatley</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">CMG, OBE (The Mountain Climber), Oatley requested that McGuinness be released without charge and Oatley’s request was granted without question. The order to release McGuinness was a surprise to even the most seasoned Garda Detectives in Monaghan including Colm Brown and John McCoy. This intervention by MI6 makes a nonsense of the Sinn Fein/PIRA assertion that there was no MI6 contact during this period, or perhaps, the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership did not know about the true nature of the relationship between MI6 Officer Oatley and Martin McGuinness. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400;">Below McGuinness hiding like a scared rat as Michael Stone opens fire on mourners.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Nxvw73j5sJttrDkPFUGxht_j9nq5snnUqoP9fTyMKQ4A1tPc94RAlQGg2HSQ4USrfxZ824tgYh7KhNkHe8-MJ5rYUMSGxeIPXxMbkJ7bn37ZPLWigyzG-AI2ffRNyzPD0-jUv0CJA/s1600/Martin+McGuinness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="620" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Nxvw73j5sJttrDkPFUGxht_j9nq5snnUqoP9fTyMKQ4A1tPc94RAlQGg2HSQ4USrfxZ824tgYh7KhNkHe8-MJ5rYUMSGxeIPXxMbkJ7bn37ZPLWigyzG-AI2ffRNyzPD0-jUv0CJA/s320/Martin+McGuinness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span></h3>
<h3>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Loughgall Martyrs Used</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1987 Gerry Adams gave the oration at the funeral of Loughgall Martyr, Jim Lynagh, at Latlurcan Cemetery in Monaghan Town, and I quote from that oration:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Anyone who does business with The British, The Freestate establishment or The SDLP are fools because they have all sold out on the Irish People”.<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">We now know, for reasons that I will explain in a moment, that in 1987 the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership were already in bed with all of the above and in particular The British. At Jim Lynagh’s graveside in 1987 many young men and women that were gathered, were inspired by the Gerry Adams oration, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">many went on to kill and some were themselves killed</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">. We now know that Gerry Adams was speaking out both sides of his mouth, however, I have never found any evidence that Adams was an Agent of any State, his political ambition was enough for the Brits to work with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Martin McGuinness is a very different kettle of fish; McGuinness had been groomed by MI6 from those early days in the 1970s when the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership meet with British Officials. According to Sean O’Callaghan (a Garda and MI5 Agent) who was in regular phone contact with McGuinness in the 1990s, McGuinness was formerly recruited by MI6 in the mid-1980s. O’Callaghan claimed that he witnessed many meetings between McGuinness and MI6 Officer Oatley during a period that the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership claim there was no contact between the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership and The British. O’Callaghan also claimed that when Oatley used Irish in his communications to McGuinness, it was O’Callaghan who provided the Irish, anyone who knew McGuinness, will know that his IQ was not overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">In 2017, David Trimble, who had become friendly with McGuinness admitted that he was with Sean O’Callaghan when Sean O’Callaghan received a long and detailed phone call from Martin McGuinness in the 1990s. However, the greatest indictment against McGuinness is the communication below, the provenance of which the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership continue to deny, to accept its provenance as set out here is to accept that McGuinness, ‘the republican hero’, was in fact an MI6 Agent who had a free hand from his Handlers to engage in and direct murder, nothing new there when we look at all the other British Agents/informers/touts who did and continue to sit at the top of Sinn Fein/PIRA.</span></div>
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</span></h3>
<h3>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Catholics Not Included</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">It is also worth noting that the terms and conditions of the Sinn Fein/PIRA cease-fire (Articles of Surrender) as presented to their MI6 Handlers, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">specifically excluded Catholics</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;"> in the six-occupied-counties and also </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">excluded every fibre of the fabric of The Irish Freestate (Republic)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">, including members of An Garda Siochana. The General Election in 2020 showed many members of An Garda Siochana voting for Sinn Fein/PIRA which is the equivalent of a turkey voting for Christmas. The Electoral Act 1960, Section 8A allows for all members of An Garda Siochana and the Irish Defense Forces to be entered on the postal-vote-list and while not all Gardai and Defense Force members may realise it, these votes are opened and counted in the same manner as any other vote.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Between 1992 and The PIRA Convention in October 1997, I was a runner between Kevin McKenna (PIRA Chief of Staff) and Martin McGuinness (Army Council). On 10<sup>th</sup> October 1997 a Provisional IRA General Army Convention was held in Falcarragh, County Donegal, and was attended by Kevin McKenna, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty, Michael McKevitt, Bernadette McKevitt Sands and so forth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Kevin McKenna was also using another member of Sinn Fein/PIRA as a runner with Northern Command; however, McKenna was concerned that the second runner may have been compromised. As I had a genuine reason for visiting Monaghan each week and a genuine reason for visiting Derry each week, the security forces were less likely to take me under their notice, or so Kevin McKenna believed. I meet with McGuinness at a safe-house on The Culmore Road in Derry on a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%;">Interestingly, I only parted
company with Martin McGuinness following the Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA General
Army Convention which was held in Falcarragh, County Donegal, On 10<sup>th</sup>
October 1997. I parted company with McGuinness as I was advised by members of
my extended paternal family in Dundalk and south Armagh, that Michael McKevitt
and others were being allowed, by The Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership, including
Kevin McKenna, Martin McGuinness and Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, to empty PIRA arms
dumps as they prepared to set-up The Real IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I travelled from Belfast to
Monaghan at the end of 1997 to ask Kevin McKenna (Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy had just
been appointed Chief of Staff of the PIRA – Murphy was no less ruthless than
Kevin McKenna but he was easily bought as he was promised by MI6 that his
criminal empire would remain untouched by the security forces in the north) why
the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership were allowing McKevitt to take explosives,
weapons, ammunition and personnel without sanction. Kevin McKenna said that, </span>“The
odd bomb going off here and there would help keep Unionists focused on working
with the ‘Doves’”<span style="font-weight: normal;">. Normally anyone who misused or misappropriated as much a
bullet belonging to The PIRA was court-martialled and punishment administered,
two of the disappeared had allegedly mis-used a single gun belonging to the
PIRA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%;">I was devastated by Kevin’s
answer as I had put a lot of work into the peace-process and I had convinced a
lot of people to give Sinn Fein a chance to move away from violence. Kevin
McKenna and the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership had decided to use The Real IRA as
proxies to do their dirty work, just as they had done with many proxy groups
over the years. This tactic would back-fire with the Omagh Bomb, and only then did
the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership condemn the so called ‘Dissidents’. Recently Sinn
Fein/PIRA MEP, Martina Anderson has been lobbying The Irish Government not to
extradite Omagh Bomber, Liam Campbell, yet again exposing the lie of so called ‘Dissidents’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At this point I changed
tactic, in March 1998, I gave an exclusive front-page story to The Sunday Times
in which I described my time in Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan and the Ethnic Cleansing
strategy developed and operationalised by Jim Lynagh and the Sinn Fein/PIRA
leadership in the mid-1980s.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">While on the 31<sup>st</sup> of August 1994 The PIRA Army Council issued a general press statement through P.O’Neil, This press statement did not contain any meat on the bones of the Terms and Conditions of the PIRA cease-fire, the detailed Terms and Conditions which have never been altered to this day were delivered by McGuinness to MI6. There was in fact a twin-track approach, The Good Friday Agreement did not mirror the Terms and Conditions of The PIRA cease-fire. The Good Friday Agreement did not contain any detail about ‘Comfort Letters’, it did not contain any detail about Sinn Fein/PIRA being allowed to continue Human Rights abuses against the Catholic community (including murder and rape) and so forth. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The latter is why, The British Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, stated in 1999 that the murder of Charles Bennett by The PIRA was not viewed as a breach of The PIRA cease-fire but was viewed by the British as “Internal-House-keeping”.<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Provisional IRA Army Council: Wednesday 31<sup>st</sup> August 1994<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">The Terms and Conditions of this cease-fire exclude in totality the Catholic community of the occupied 6 counties. We retain the right and capacity to suppress all and any opposition to our stated position from within the Catholic community, without political interference from The British Government, including its armed forces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Provisional IRA Army Council: Wednesday 31<sup>st</sup> August 1994</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Terms and Conditions of this cease-fire excludes in totality the Irish Freestate, its armed forces including members of An Garda Siochana. We retain the right and capacity to bring about the destruction of the Irish Freestate by whatever means at our disposal, without foreign interference.</span></span></div>
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<h3>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Secret Talks between The British Government and Sinn Fein/PIRA</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Following Sir Patrick Mayhew’s speech at Queens University in Belfast in 1993, there was a question and answer session, this author asked Sir Patrick openly in front of the media, academics and students gathered if The British Government was talking to The PIRA, Sir Patrick denied the charge. Shortly after Sir Patrick spoke at Queens, a document that was sent from Michael Oatley MI6 Officer to MI6 Agent Martin McGuinness was shown to certain trusted journalists by this author, so that they may push on with questions about secret talks between The PIRA and The British Government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">When Sinn Fein/PIRA heard of the document between MI6 Agent Oatley and McGuinness, there was panic, as the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership with the exception of McGuinness did not recognise the described document. The fact was that the document appeared to show that McGuinness was a British Agent rather than a negotiator on behalf of the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership, although he was also led on the latter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">The leaks led to the breaking of the story on 8<sup>th</sup> November 1993, by Belfast journalist, Eamon Mallie. Eventually both the British and Sinn Fein/PIRA admitted that there was contact and each side gave their own account of such contact to minimise outrage from various quarters on both sides. Sinn Fein/PIRA persistently denied the document that was produced at that time by this author (see, below), and purported to be a communication between MI6 Agent Michael Oatley and Martin McGuinness, the communication, when subjected to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">discourse analysis</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">, appeared to show that McGuinness was in fact an MI6 Agent, not a James Bond type Agent, simply a puppet on a string.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">The Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership continued to state that only Sinn Fein had spoken to the British, however, in 1994, PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna gave a rare interview to Eamon Mallie on Downtown Radio, in which he said, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“As long as the boys with the balaclavas are at the table I am happy”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">, McKenna was referring to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, yet at all times, including in 2020 on their official website, Sinn Fein/PIRA claimed/claim that it was Sinn Fein who was negotiating with The British and the document below was a communication between British ‘Officials’ and the Sinn Fein negotiators, this is a lie, the original handwritten version of the communication had Martin McGuinness written at the top and was signed off with, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Is Mise, Michael Oatley</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">. A blind donkey reading this document can see that it was a personal communication between MI6 Officer, Michael Oatley and MI6 Agent, Martin McGuinness and was probably included in disclosed documents by Sir Patrick Mayhew by accident.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 20.0304px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">In February 1994 I had an article published in The Irish News (this can be checked in their archive) and The Irish Press (no longer in circulation) in which I stated the following, in the hope of encouraging Sinn Fein/PIRA personnel to stand down as they were involved in a </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;">phony</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> war:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“And I ask you Irish men and women within the ranks of The PIRA to check the motivation of your leadership before checking the timer on your bomb”.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Martin McGuinness MI6 Agent</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">There is no contradiction in the claims that Martin McGuinness was an MI6 Agent from the mid-1980s and his direct involvement in directing acts of violence including the mass murder of civilians. A communication from MI6 Agent Michael Oatley on 3rd June, 1993 (see, below) to Martin McGuinness highlights this Moral Quagmire, when Oatley says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Your unfortunate headline events of April have made acceptance of your offer much more risky for him. You and I may think this should not matter, but the fact is that it does and it is that which is holding things up – if you like, human characteristics rather than anything more sinister”.<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">When MI6 Agent Oakley says, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Your unfortunate headline events of April…”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;"> he is talking about April 24th, 1993, when The PIRA bombed Bishopsgate and devastated the heart of the City of London, one person was killed, 44 were injured and £350 million of damage was caused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">When Oatley says, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“much more risky for him”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">, he is referring to The British Prime Minister, John Major, the same John Major who told Parliament in 1993 that it would make his stomach sick to even think that any British official would be talking to The PIRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Shortly before the headline events of April 1993, Tim Parry (aged 12) and three-year-old Johnathan Ball died and 54 others were injured after the Provisional IRA detonated bombs that had been hidden inside high street litter bins in Warrington in England on the eve of Mother's Day that year. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1999 loyalist terrorists, Orange Volunteers, were preparing to copy-cat the Warrington attack in Dublin but these attacks were thwarted</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">The most significant component of this communication, between McGuinness and what many believe to be his Handler, MI6 Officer Oatley, is when he says;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">“You and I may think this should not matter, but the fact is that it does and it is that which is holding things up – if you like, human characteristics rather than anything more sinister”. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Oatley suggests that while he and McGuinness cannot understand why the murder of women and children should delay negotiations, it is the human characteristics of Prime Minister, John Major that is preoccupying him with concern about the murder of women and children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">On the official Sinn Fein/PIRA website in 2020, Sinn Fein/PIRA claim that they received a communication from a British government representative on June 3<sup>rd</sup>, 1993, and that the said communication was </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">initialed </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">and they have removed the initials for security reasons. However, the communication was not from a British Government official and it was not for the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership, but was a personal communication from MI6 Officer Michael Oatley to Martin McGuinness. The PIRA Army Council fear the implications of anyone establishing the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">‘true’ provenance</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;"> of the communication, however, here it is. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">The communication had been sent by Oatley to the MI6 Officer (Robert) who had replaced him on the British negotiating team, Robert had Oatley’s handwritten communication typed so that he could remove McGuinness’s name from the top of the communication, and Robert completed the typed version with </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">R. (handwritten)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">, to show that this was a very personal communication, from Oatley to McGuinness. R. is the initial that Sinn Fein/PIRA have removed from the bottom of the document below as it appears on their website.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">Setting the Record Straight 2015, https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/15216.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">It is believed that The British included this communication by ‘mistake’ when Sir Patrick Mayhew, on Monday, 29<sup>th</sup> November, 1993, the British Minister with Chief responsibility for the Six Counties, lodged in the Library and Vote office at Westminster, what he claimed to be all messages</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> "received and dispatched"</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;"> in the course of the British government's protracted contact and dialogue with Sinn Fein/PIRA. His 'record' covered the period of 22<sup>nd</sup> February 1993 - 5th November 1993. He claimed this to be the totality of the period involved.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.12px;">It is this combination of Martin McGuinness as an MI6 Agent (and an array of British Agents/informers/touts) at leadership level and the political ambitions of Gerry Adams that brings the British Security Services to focus their attentions on undermining the position of PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, who, while loyal to Adams, was a militarist, who would not surrender easily. It is for these reasons that 28 PIRA volunteers were killed by The SAS in East Tyrone between 1987 and 1992, these volunteers under the direct and personal leadership of Kevin McKenna. By 1992 Kevin McKenna was ineffective and that is exactly the way McGuinness and his Handlers wanted him. Intelligent strategists such as Jim Lynagh were replaced by donkeys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The leadership of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan have serious questions to answer as to why they allowed a fully-fledged RUC Informer back into the ranks of Sinn Fein/PIRA when he had served only a few months in Long Kesh for PIRA membership when he had admitted his role in two high profile murders. Owen Smyth (AKA Eoin Smyth) from Monaghan Town had been told in 1981 by PIRA Commander Jim Lynagh not to travel into the north, after members of The PIRA who had shot pensioner Norman Strong and his son James at Tynan Abbey were found by Gardai hiding in the basement of The Round House Bar in Monaghan Town which was owned by Owen Smyth’s Uncle Robert Loane but which was run and operated by Owen Smyth. When Owen Smyth was arrested by The RUC Smyth began to talk immediately and named every member of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan and anything else that he could tell the RUC about Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan. Owen Smyth would also tell a 17-year-old Vincent McKenna in Crumlin Road Jail that he had turned informer as he did not want to go to jail for the two killings, Owen Smyth also boasted that he and Jim Lynagh had planned the killings of Norman Strong and his son James. Seamus Shannon would be extradited in 1984 based on information provided to The RUC by Owen Smyth. Why did the Command Staff of The PIRA in Monaghan allow Owen Smyth to return to a position within Sinn Fein/PIRA that gave him access to details of PIRA operations including Loughgall? In 1990 Owen Smyth again turned informer when arrested by Gardai in relation to a Human Bomb attack in Fermanagh, again, Smyth had the charges against him mysteriously dropped and he returned to the Sinn Fein/PIRA fold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Owen Smyth also has questions to answer in relation to his close association with two sisters from Monaghan Town who were bringing UDR members into Monaghan Town periodically between 1994-1997. These two sisters would be seen drinking with the said UDR members in loyalist pubs in places such as Caledon in County Tyrone. On one occasion the two women and the UDR members were followed from Caledon to Monaghan Town. These UDR members were being brought into Monaghan Town by the two women and the UDR men were using these visits as scouting missions for a UVF death squad who would later target Caoimhghín Ó’Caoláin in a bomb attack. Another UDR man would be found shot dead on the out skirts of Monaghan after the gun he was carrying went of as he was preparing to target a member of The PIRA. All of these questions remain unanswered, and various suggestions have been put forward as to why The PIRA in Monaghan failed to establish the truth in these matters, one theory being that Smyth was being protected by a high-ranking informer on The PIRA Command Staff in Monaghan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Loughgall is a picture-postcard village on the borders of Tyrone and County Armagh that with its neatly arranged window boxes and hanging baskets you would expect to win the best kept village competition year after year. Tourists come for the antique shops and cosy tea rooms that line its narrow main street. 31 years ago in 1987, other visitors came to Loughgall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The quiet of a May evening on 8 May 1987 was shattered by the thunder of SAS guns as the Regiment (as it is known) ambushed and wiped out one of the most heavily armed and experienced Active Service Units (ASU) the Provisional IRA had ever assembled. It was known as the ‘A’ Team. Eight bodies in boiler suits, some with balaclavas, lay bloody and dead on the ground and in the back of the van in which they had been travelling. The SAS had been lying in wait and had opened up with a barrage of over 200 rounds blasted from General Purpose Machine guns (GPMGs) and high-powered Heckler and Koch rifles. The SAS outnumbered and outgunned the IRA by three to one. The van was riddled like a sieve and its IRA passengers cut to pieces. It was the biggest loss the IRA had suffered since 1921 when a dozen of its men were wiped out by the notorious ‘Black and Tans’. Loughgall police station, a few hundred yards outside the village and the target of the IRA’s attack, was reduced to a twisted pile of concrete and rubble. The IRA just managed to detonate its 200 lb bomb before the SAS opened up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A few miles away in the ops room that was the nerve centre of the security forces’ Tasking and Co-Ordinating Group (TCG) from which the ambush had been directed, an SAS Commander, a Senior M15 Officer and two senior RUC Officers (both shot dead 1989, see, Smithwick Tribunal) anxiously gathered to hear the result of one of the most carefully planned M15, RUC and Army operations of the northern conflict. They gathered around an SAS officer who was in radio contact with the SAS commander on the ground, when the news came through, the SAS Officer turned to those gathered (TCG) and declared, “Total Wipe-out”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To the British, the SAS had given the IRA a taste of its own medicine and to Ulster Unionists clambering for the army to take the gloves off, not before time. There was celebration in the TCG at the unprecedented spectacular and quiet contentment in the Northern Ireland Office. Its Permanent Under-Secretary at the time, Sir Robert Andrew, later said how he felt on hearing the news. ‘My personal reaction was really one of some satisfaction that we had ‘won one’ as it were. I think it demonstrated to the IRA that the other side could play it rough. I hope it sent a message that the British government was resolute and was going to fight them.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Certainly the IRA had been playing it very rough. Only a fortnight earlier, it had assassinated Northern Ireland’s second most senior judge, Lord Justice Gibson and his wife with a 500 lb bomb as they drove back across the border after a holiday away. The explosives had come from Libya. The judge had been a prime target ever since he had acquitted the police officers who shot dead Gervaise McKerr (whose case was also ruled on at Strasbourg) and two other IRA men during a car chase in 1982. He commended them for bringing the deceased to ‘the final court of justice’. None of them was armed at the time. The then Northern Ireland Secretary, Tom King said, ‘We were conscious we were facing an enhanced threat and we took enhanced measures to meet it.’ The SAS was the cutting edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At the time of Loughgall, the IRA was brimful of confidence. It had recently had its bunkers filled almost to bursting with over 130 tons of heavy weaponry and high explosives smuggled into Ireland in four shipments courtesy of Mrs Thatcher’s sworn enemy, Colonel Gaddafi (murdered 2011) of Libya. The depleted ranks of its leadership had also been strengthened by the IRA’s mass break-out from the Maze prison in 1983, many of whose senior gunmen were still on the run. One of them was Patrick McKearney (32).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It was known that IRA Commander, Jim Lynagh, had developed a new Maoist strategy of liberating Green Zones, zones that would be cleared of the British and their collaborators. The IRA began its new strategy in 1985 with a devastating mortar attack on the RUC station in the border town of Newry in which nine police officers died. It followed it up with a bomb and gun attack on Ballygawley police station that left two RUC men dead. In 1986, it launched a bomb attack on another police station, unmanned at the time, in the tiny village of the Birches along the shores of Lough Neagh in County Tyrone. Now a new delivery system had been used, a JCB digger with a 200-lb bomb in the bucket. The digger smashed through the security fence, the bomb exploded and reduced the station to rubble. The attack on Loughgall was designed to be a carbon copy of the attack on the Birches. But this time British and Irish intelligence knew the IRA was coming and was across its plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The first indicator about the Loughgall operation came three weeks earlier from an RUC agent based in Monaghan Town, Patrick Kelly had travelled to Monaghan to meet Jim Lynagh, however, as often happened, Lynagh was not about, Patrick Kelly made the fatal mistake of making inquiries about Lynagh with Owen/Eoin Smyth, the Round House Bar, Church Square, Monaghan Town. Barely three weeks before Loughgall, five of the East Tyrone IRA had shot dead Harold Henry (52), a member of the Henry Brothers construction business that carried out repairs on security force bases. Just before midnight, the IRA took Mr Henry from his home, put him up against a wall and shot him dead with two rifles and a shotgun. He left a widow and six children. To the IRA he was a ‘legitimate target’, the first of more than twenty ‘collaborators’ to be ‘executed’ by the IRA for ‘assisting the British war machine.’ One of the weapons believed to have been used in the Henry killing was later retrieved at Loughgall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On the basis of the information passed to the Garda Siochana (Irish Police) and RUC Special Branch by the IRA informer in Monaghan Town, a major security operation was put into action. Extra SAS Teams were brought into the north, within hours of arriving in the north, the SAS Teams were brought to the firing range beneath the RUC Forensic Lab in Belfast, were they test fired similar weapons to those that would be used by the IRA Team at Loughgall. The SAS Team was briefed by Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan. This test firing would allow the SAS to distinguish between friendly and enemy fire on the night of the Loughgall executions. While the Monaghan Informer had given an indicator that a major operation was about to take place, the actual target was not immediately known, this would take a detailed mapping of a myriad of intelligence sources. The Monaghan Informer would contact his handler a couple of days before Loughgall to say that Jim Lynagh had moved to a safe house in Coalisland, County Tyrone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There was other vital intelligence too from M15′s listening devices planted inside the homes of IRA suspects, usually put in place when they were away – or even when the homes of the more prominent ones were being built. As long as the batteries held out, these technical devices – or ‘bugs’ – could be monitored many miles away or their content down-loaded by helicopters flying over the premises where they were hidden. It’s likely too that the location where the explosives were stored for the Loughgall bomb were also under M15 technical surveillance. They were probably also under human ‘eyes-on’ observation by operators of the army’s top-secret undercover unit, 14 Intelligence Company (known colloquially as the ‘Det’) and the RUC’s equivalent covert unit, E4A. ‘E’ is the code for the RUC’s Special Branch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The security force operation was put in place on Thursday 7 May, the day before the IRA’s planned assault. Three Special Branch officers from the RUC’s specialist anti-terrorist unit volunteered to remain inside the normally sleepy station as decoys to give the appearance of normality whilst the IRA did its ‘recce’. ‘Matt’, a veteran of such covert operations, was one of them. They entered the station with some of the SAS troopers as darkness fell on the Thursday night. They made sandwiches and cracked jokes to lighten the tedium of waiting and perhaps to calm the nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The joint leaders of the ASU was Patrick Kelly (30), an experienced IRA commander whose sister, supported by the other relatives, was a prime mover in bringing the Loughgall cases before the European Court. Kelly had been arrested in 1982 and charged with terrorist offences on the word of a ‘Super-grass’ but was subsequently released as the testimony lacked corroboration. Jim Lynagh was the second Commander and was the man most sought after by the British and Irish security services. Among the younger members of the ASU were four young friends from the village of Cappagh who had joined the IRA after the death of one of their village friend, Martin Hurson, on hunger strike in 1981. One of them, Declan Arthurs (21), was to drive the JCB with a 200 lb bomb in the bucket – just like the Birches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Throughout the long hours of Friday, the maze of country lanes around Loughgall police station were watched and patrolled by ‘Det’ operators on the look-out for the ‘A Team’. One of them was a young women called ‘Anna’ who was driving around the area with her ‘Det’ partner as part of the surveillance cordon. Suddenly they spotted a blue Toyota Hiace van. At first they thought it was simply stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle but when they realised it was a JCB, they immediately put Ballygawley and the Birches together. ‘You suddenly realize it’s the MO (modus operandi) used by the East Tyrone Brigade,’ she said. ‘It was like a replay. But this time we were on top of it and we knew what was happening. So we passed on the information to the TCG and pulled off.’ The Chief Constable of the time, Sir John Hermon, said the IRA ASU could not have been arrested. He said it was never a realistic option since the IRA would be unlikely to come out with their hands up and police officers lives would therefore be at grave risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At 7.15 pm as dusk gathered, the JCB with Declan Arthurs at the wheel and the bomb raised high in the bucket, trundled past the police station with the blue Toyota van in attendance. Both then turned and headed back in the direction whence they had come. Suddenly, the JCB roared into life, headed for the perimeter fence and crashed through it. Almost simultaneously, the van drew up outside, disgorging Patrick Kelly and other members of the ASU who sprayed the station with their assault rifles. The SAS almost certainly opened up the moment Kelly started firing. Everything seemed to happen at once in a deafening crescendo of noise. Inside the station, ‘Matt’ (Special Branch), who was by the front window, was only about ten metres from the JCB when it came to a halt right before his eyes. He turned and ran to the back with one word on his mind. Bomb! ‘I thought of the Birches and Ballygawley and the next minute there was an almighty bang. I was hit in the face, knocked to the ground and buried. I thought “I’m dead”, simple as that!’ Miraculously ‘Matt’ survived although buried in the rubble ‘inhaling dust and darkness.’ The ‘A’ Team did not. ‘Declan was mowed down. He could have been taken prisoner,’ his mother, Amelia Arthurs, said. ‘The SAS never gave them a chance.’ The photographs taken at the scene are gruesome. The van in which the IRA volunteers had travelled was ripped open by part of the shrapnel from the digger bucket when it exploded, this is new information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">‘Matt’ felt no sympathy for the bullet-riddled bodies on the ground outside the station and in the back of the van. ‘They were there to kill us,’ he said. ‘These guys were responsible for lots and lots of deaths in that area and other parts of the province. Dead terrorists are better than dead policemen.’ Forensic tests carried out on the IRA weapons retrieved at the scene were linked to eight killings and thirty-three shootings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The area around the police station had not been cordoned off since to have done so would have risked making the IRA suspicious and wary of the carefully laid ambush. As a result, two brothers returning home from work, were shot by the SAS. The security personnel who lay on the outer core of the ambush had been ordered to kill everyone within the kill zone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the soldiers thought they were part of the ASU or mistook their white Citroen for an IRA ‘scout’ car, maybe because one of the occupants was wearing a boiler suit. The brothers had been working on a car. The SAS fired forty rounds at the vehicle, killing Anthony Hughes (36) and seriously wounding his brother Oliver who was scarred for life. He said no warning was given. The RUC’s Chief Constable, Sir Jack Herman, described the attack on the two innocent men as ‘an unspeakable tragedy’ and blamed the IRA, not planning and operational shortcomings, for his death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When ‘Anna’, her ‘Det’ colleagues and the SAS returned to base, there were great celebrations. ‘There was a huge party and it probably went on for 24 hours,’ she said. ‘A lot of beer was drunk. We were jubilant. We thought it was a job well done. It sent shock waves through the terrorist world that we were back on top.’ She said of the dead IRA men. ‘They’re all volunteers and actively engaged against the British army. They’re ‘at war’ as they would describe it. My attitude is that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. We were just happy at the end of the day to be alive ourselves.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Some new information is contained in this article, it is certain that the first indicator for the Loughgall operation came from an RUC Special Branch Informer in Monaghan Town. This informer also contacted the RUC to let them know that Jim Lynagh had moved to a safe house in Coalisland just before the Loughgall operation. Once the security services had their first indicator of a major IRA operation, M15 and the RUC had to simply correlate their myriad of intelligence to match the A Team with their target. At the same time that M15 and the SAS were focused on the East Tyrone IRA, M16 were working closely with Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams and had adopted a hands-off approach to the IRA in Derry and Belfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There is no question that the relationship between Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and The British Secret Service lead to the SAS executions at Loughgall, the British wanted to undermine PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, McKenna wanted to take the war to the British and their collaborators and he viewed politics as nothing more than a public relations exercise that could provide cover for the real business of The PIRA, which was to drive the British apparatus out of Ireland. Adams and McGuinness had already sold out, and even at the graveside of Jim Lynagh, Adams would spout his lies when he said, “Anyone who does business with The British, The Freestate establishment or The SDLP are fools for they have all sold out on the Irish people”, Adams said these weasel words while he was already in bed with all of the above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sinn Fein/PIRA can get as many illiterates fools as they like to make videos for YouTube stating that Lynagh and Kelly would have supported Sinn Fein/PIRA’s British inspired ‘peace-strategy’, however, anyone one who was on the same intellectual level as Jim Lynagh would know well that Adams, McGuinness and their ‘peace strategy’ is nothing more than a British inspired surrender of Irish Republicanism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Keywords: Loughgall Martyrs, 33rd Anniversary, Jim Lynagh, Patrick Kelly, Declan Authurs, SAS, Ambush, Gerry Adams</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309753.0463133 -6.9057566999999995 53.6532973 -5.6148627tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-61296331279428154672020-03-09T03:43:00.002-07:002020-03-09T03:43:43.957-07:00Jim O Callaghan, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein, Government<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Jim O’Callaghan TD Fianna Fail</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On Sunday 8<sup>th</sup> March 2020, Fianna Fail, 'Justice' Spokesman, Jim O’Callaghan told RTE that Fianna Fail, “May have been too definitive about their stated position of not being prepared to go into Government with Sinn Fein/PIRA”. It is difficult to understand how any democratic organisation can be “too definitive” about not wishing to go into Government with Sinn Fein/PIRA who are controlled by The Provisional IRA Army Council (who are in turn controlled by foreign agents) with an “Over-arching Strategy”. Perhaps Jim O'Callaghan TD should go to the family of Garda Jerry McCabe and tell them face-to-face that Fianna Fail has been "Too Definitive" about not going into Government with Garda Mc Cabe's Murderers and their mouth-pieces, or go to the family of 21 year-old Paul Quinn who was butchered by Sinn Fein/PIRA and explain to them what, "Too Definitive" means.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Perhaps Jim O'Callaghan TD is running afraid of the real threat of Sinn Fein/PIRA, "They have not gone away you know" (Gerry Adams). Although Jim O'Callaghan TD has represented in Court senior Sinn Fein/PIRA mouth-pieces such as Gerry Kelly MLA and Gerry Adams TD. </span><a href="https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2020/revealed-ff-tds-work-on-legal-case-for-gerry-adams-38934927.html" style="text-align: left;">https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2020/revealed-ff-tds-work-on-legal-case-for-gerry-adams-38934927.html</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Graffiti that appeared in Dundalk when Gerry Adams TD admitted that he knew for a decade that his brother Liam Adams had raped his 4 year-old daughter Aine.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Jim O’Callaghan TD Government with Sinn Fein/PIRA</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Jim O’Callaghan has been a Fianna Fail politician for over a decade now and he is also a fairly decent Barrister, and therefore, one must ask the question, why would Jim O’Callaghan TD even continence going into Government with Sinn Fein/PIRA who have murdered 3,000 men, women and children (the majority of which were innocent civilians), an organisation that have mutilated, maimed, tortured and raped many thousands more innocents, an organisation that continues to Ghost its rapists into The Irish Republic, an organisation that has murdered Gardai in cold blood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Jim O’Callaghan TD National Interest</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Is Jim O’Callaghan TD so consumed by his own self-importance and self-worth that he would sacrifice the national interest, is he to follow the path of former Fianna Fail mouth-pieces such as John O’Donoghue who contributed nothing to the public interest but simply massaged his own ego while filling his pockets with tax payers money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Jim O’Callaghan TD Coalition with Sinn Fein/PIRA</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">If Fianna Fail were to go into Government with Sinn Fein/PIRA, The PIRA Army Council would pull that Government down before the completion of its tenure, at which point Fianna Fail would find themselves in the dustbin of political history, from where they would not return.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Government Formation 2020</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Nobody wants another General Election, and therefore, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and The Green Party have an opportunity to step up to the mark in the national interest, because the only Virus that poses a threat to this Irish Republic is the Virus of Sinn Fein/PIRA Criminality. Who knows? in 5 years, following self-isolation, Sinn Fein/PIRA may have some contribution to make at national level, however, for now, due to their ongoing murder and criminality they need to be decontaminated and de-radicalised by the reality that this Irish Republic will not open up its corridors of power to Criminals and there mouth-pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Jim O Callaghan, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein, Government</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309753.0463133 -6.9057566999999995 53.6532973 -5.6148627tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-18251833001478265292020-03-03T02:36:00.002-08:002020-03-03T08:53:55.157-08:00Paul Quinn Murder 2007, Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein Criminals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Paul Quinn Murder 2007</h2>
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<b>Conor Murphy socialising with Sinn Fein/PIRA Murder Squad Commander.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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This is Sinn Fein/PIRA, British Finance Minister, <b>Conor Murphy</b> with the PIRA Commander, <b>Frank 'One Shot' McCabe</b>, whose gang members murdered 21-year-old Paul Quinn in County Monaghan in 2007. Security sources say the gang is made up of psychopaths and sex criminals, who do as they please as Sinn Fein mouth-pieces give them cover for their heinious crimes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Frank 'One Shot' McCabe</b></div>
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Sinn Fein/PIRA mouth-piece Murphy is photographed enjoying a meal and drinks with Frank 'One Shot' McCabe, and also socialising with him at the Sinn Fein/PIRA Newry and Armagh Christmas party just two months ago.<br />
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<b>Dozens of young people who complained about being raped by Sinn Fein/PIRA members over the years were shot and beaten, while Sinn Fein/PIRA protected the rapists.</b></div>
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McCabe was the 'Officer Commanding' (OC) of the PIRA in South Armagh when its members lured the 21-year-old Cullyhanna man to a barn in Oram, Co Monaghan, and beat him to death with iron bars and nail-studded cudgels, they broke every bone in his body. </div>
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<b>NOTE:</b> This morning 3<sup>rd</sup> March 2020 Inland Revenue and Gardai are reporting that they are dealing with the discovery of yet another fuel laundering plant in Monaghan, such plants normally a shared operation between Sinn Fein/PIRA and their ‘Dissident’ cousins. The waste from these plants over the past 40 years have been responsible for the worst environmental pollution in Europe per-hectre, with significant cancer clusters identified in the areas where this waste continues to be dumped in the land and water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Conor Murphy has again refused to state publicly that murdered south Armagh man Paul Quinn was not a criminal, Murphy maintains this position as he continues to socialise with the psychopaths who murdered Paul Quinn. Psychopaths who would have fitted well within the ranks of The Black and Tans.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1avExKB4wt6QQ3xEqbT7jJ4gUwgSlVswJrEu0UZSGTLWayuRALJkZWFrrOH1H4gbc15jKr_ZDMYCkRdgsnI7Aju_YQ6KhXWfMlSO_Ne_otM5d2O6KFsTnirjWN-51ZEGcD9B8e6bYQ/s1600/martin-mcguinness-with-liam-adams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="454" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1avExKB4wt6QQ3xEqbT7jJ4gUwgSlVswJrEu0UZSGTLWayuRALJkZWFrrOH1H4gbc15jKr_ZDMYCkRdgsnI7Aju_YQ6KhXWfMlSO_Ne_otM5d2O6KFsTnirjWN-51ZEGcD9B8e6bYQ/s320/martin-mcguinness-with-liam-adams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Martin McGuinness MP opening the new Sinn Fein Office in Dundalk with Child Rapist Liam Adams, this at a time when Liam Adams had admitted to McGuinness that he had Raped his 4 year old daughter Aine. Liam Adams had been promoted to Chairman of Louth Sinn Fein Comhairle Ceanntair, at a time when Gerry Adams TD knew his brother Liam was a child rapist.</b></div>
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Conor Murphy, The British Finance Minister in the north, has been under pressure to make the public statement after retracting a claim he made 13 years ago that Mr Quinn had been involved in criminality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr Quinn’s mother Breege has repeatedly called for the Sinn Fein/PIRA MLA to say publicly that her son was not a criminal, saying the slur on his name has compounded her family’s grief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 21-year-old from Cullyhanna was beaten to death by a gang of around a dozen Sinn Fein/PIRA members in a farm shed across the border near Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in 2007.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His family blame members of the PIRA, but Sinn Fein/PIRA has long denied republican involvement, as they denied involvement in many atrocities over the past 40 years during which they murdered almost 3,000 (mainly civilians), maimed, mutilated, tortured, exiled and Raped thousands of other innocents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The killing became one of the talking points of the Irish General Election as Mr Quinn’s mother called for the former Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy to be removed from his post as British Finance Minister over the comments. However, Mary Lou McDonald has absolutely no control over Conor Murphy who answers only to the PIRA Command Staff in south Armagh and they in turn answer to The PIRA Army Council. The same Army Council that has protected hundreds of sex criminals within their ranks including Gerry Adams Snr, Liam Adams, Seamus Marley, Marty Morris and so forth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sinn Fein have faced criticism from all shades of political opinion over its response to the killing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Monday 2<sup>nd</sup> March 2020, as he appeared at his first press conference at Stormont since the row, Conor Murphy refused to publicly state Mr Quinn was not a criminal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I made a statement in relation to that, I have written to the family and my offer to meet the family remains, I am happy to meet them at any time,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mrs Quinn has said she will not meet Mr Murphy until he publicly states her son was not a criminal.</div>
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<b>Paul Quinn Murder 2007, Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein Criminals</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309753.0463133 -6.9057566999999995 53.6532973 -5.6148627tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-8118784678396145022020-02-18T02:39:00.000-08:002020-02-18T02:39:49.654-08:00Dissident Threats, New IRA, Sinn Fein, Gerry Kelly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">New IRA Threats</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">New IRA ‘Threats’, are they
Real or simply more twisted logic from the backroom boys in Sinn Fein/PIRA who
are working with their MI6 Handlers and trying to leverage their way into
Government in The Irish Republic?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sinn Fein/PIRA’s Gerry Kelly
has publicly stated that the PSNI have warned him that The New IRA is going to
attack members of Sinn Fein/PIRA. Gerry Kelly MLA, the PIRA Old Bailey bomber
turned Stormont Minister, being the man who confirmed that he received a “royal
prerogative of mercy”, from Queen Elizabeth at a time in the 1980s when PIRA
volunteers and their families were being butchered in their dozens in County
Tyrone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly has
hit out at a "stupid" New IRA threat to car bomb a party member,
saying they "have families too" who are being put in danger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Is there a real threat to Sinn
Fein/PIRA from The New IRA?</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The simple answer is no, there
is no threat against Sinn Fein/PIRA members from The New IRA or any other organisation.
The key reason that there is no threat is because The PIRA Army Council remain
armed to the teeth thanks to their MI6 Handlers who ensured that
decommissioning did not include ‘Defensive’ weapons, and as Spike and the lads
will tell you, Sinn Fein/PIRA were allowed by their MI6 Handlers to bring in
clean weapons even after the signing of The GFA. If any attack does emerge it
will simply be street theatre directed by Sinn Fein/PIRA people who think they
are smarter than everyone else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>What is a ‘Dissident’
Republican?</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A ‘Dissident’ Republican is a
person who is opposed to the surrender of militant Irish Republicanism by the
Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Is there any relationship
between Sinn Fein/PIRA and ‘Dissident’ Republicans?</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, there is a relationship
between Sinn Fein/PIRA and ‘Dissident’ Republicans, for example, following the
PIRA Army Convention in 1997, the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership took no action
against Michael McKevitt and others who were raiding PIRA arms dumps in order
to form the Real IRA. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership believed that, “The odd
bomb going off here and there would keep Unionists focused on working with the
Doves” (Kevin McKenna, 1997). This tactic back-fired with the Omagh Bomb, and
only then did Sinn Fein/PIRA direct Michael McKevitt and others to desist from
taking their weapons and explosives, however, at that point the dumps were
empty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before Gerry Adams ran for
election in County Louth there were many meetings between leading Sinn
Fein/PIRA members and the Real IRA leadership, to ensure that Gerry Adams would
get safe passage in Louth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a constant
cross-fertilisation between Sinn Fein/PIRA and their ‘Dissident’ cousins in
many parts of the country, it is not universal, but extensive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Could the Sinn Fein/PIRA sell-out
of Militant Republicanism to their MI6 Handlers have been foreseen?</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes. In February 1994, an
Irish Republican published articles in The Irish News and The Irish Press in
which he stated, “So I would ask you Irish men and women within the ranks of
The PIRA to check the motivation of your leadership before checking the timer
on your bomb” (Vincent McKenna, 1994).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following these articles in
The Irish Press and Irish News The PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, gave an
interview to Eamon Mallie from Downtown Radio, in which McKenna said, “As long
as the boys with the balaclavas are at the table I am happy”. McKenna had
already been warned by Vincent McKenna that Martin McGuinness was an MI6 Agent,
not a James Bond type agent, but simply a puppet-on-a-string.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nobody wanted to listen, yet
the writing was on the wall, the full scale of The Sinn Fein/PIRA treachery is
now fully laid bare, Comfort Letters were to be given to the ‘chosen ones’ some
of whom were on the run for sex crimes and not PIRA activity, Thomas ‘Slab’
Murphy was given assurances that his self-profiteering operations would go
untouched by the British security services, the list is endless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The final insult would come on
St Patrick’s Day 2002, when a PIRA Unit broke into Castlereagh holding centre
in Belfast, believing that they may be able to identify a senior informant
within the Belfast Command Staff, they found more than they bargained for, the
intelligence discovered showed that the northern delegation attending the PIRA
Army Convention in 1997 in Donegal had more British Agents and Informers than
it did actual PIRA members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The PIRA Army Convention in
Donegal was a piece of theatre were The British effectively surrendered to
themselves. Does this mean that the British wanted The PIRA Army Council to end
its campaign violence? Absolutely not, MI6 were happy to keep their Agents in
place and went along with the idea of allowing ‘Dissidents’ to bomb by proxy
until Sinn Fein/PIRA got their demands, on the ground people such as Freddie,
Eddie, Sean and so forth would be allowed to continue to impose their will on
the nationalist community, in effect, doing a better job than The Black and Tans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many of the Sinn Fein/PIRA sex
criminals were already known in the 1990s and as we know these sex criminals
were not only protected by The Sinn Fein/PIRA Command Staff in Belfast and
other parts of the country, but were actually afforded full style PIRA funerals
(Ruby Davidson, Gerry Adams Snr etc), Republicans of whatever brand must face
up to the reality of what Sinn Fein/PIRA were and remain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dissident Threats, New IRA, Sinn Fein, Gerry Kelly</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-36224387309945032662020-02-15T11:25:00.000-08:002020-02-15T11:25:03.217-08:00PSNI Chief Constable, Sinn Fein, PIRA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2>
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne under fire after deflecting questions on Provisional IRA status</h2>
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For those who wish to remember, in 1999, the British Secretary of State for the north, Mo Mowlam, stated that the kidnapping, torture and murder of 22 year old Catholic Charles Bennett by Sinn Fein/PIRA was not a breach of the Sinn Fein/PIRA cease-fire agreed with their MI6 Handlers, but the murder of Catholics by Sinn Fein/PIRA was viewed by the British as “Internal House-keeping”, in this assessment Mowlam also included the 5,000 women and children who were known at that time to have been raped by Senior members of Sinn Fein/PIRA and those rapists protected by the Sinn Fein/PIRA leadership and their Handlers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Initially, in 1999, Mowlam had stated that neither she nor the NIO could say who murdered Charles Bennett, and that such a determination was a matter for The Chief Constable of the RUC. When Sir Ronnie Flanagan responded to Mowlam’s assertions on UTV and stated unequivocally that The PIRA had murdered Charles Bennett, Mowlam openly declared the collusion that existed/exists between Sinn Fein/PIRA and the British establishment, an establishment that has a share-holding on the PIRA Army Council.</div>
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<h4>
What then has changed since 1999, are Sinn Fein/PIRA still agents of the British State?</h4>
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PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has come under fire after declining to answer questions from the Stormont Justice Committee about the status of the Provisional IRA.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Quizzed on the matter yesterday 14<sup>th</sup> February 2020, Mr Byrne directed questions around an assessment of the Provisional IRA to the secretary of state and the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr Byrne replied: “The status of the Provisional IRA is not for me to comment on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Northern Ireland Office has been asked to comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr Byrne’s comments have drawn attention in light of a statement from the PSNI to the Belfast News Letter in November 2019 which affirmed the continuing role of the Provisional IRA.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Four months ago the PSNI told the Belfast Newsletter there had been “no change” since the 2015 government assessment; Prompted by the murder of Kevin McGuigan, the 2015 report said that the PIRA Army Council was still overseeing both Sinn Fein and the remaining structures of the Sinn Fein/PIRA organisation with an “over-arching strategy”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“With regards to PIRA, there has been no change since the Paramilitary Assessment in 2015,” the PSNI told the Belfast News Letter in November 2019.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The government report, published in 2015 and based in part on PSNI assessments, concluded that the second largest political party in both the north and – now the Freestate also – continues to be overseen by the PIRA Army Council, which although much reduced in scale and “committed to the peace process”, still has “specific” departments and “regional command structures”, gathers intelligence, retains weapons and has been involved in “isolated incidents of violence, including murders”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jim Gamble, former head of PSNI Special Branch in Belfast, said Mr Byrne had “got caught between a rock and a hard place”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He has come into the role and is doing the best he can. But unlike [previous Chief Constable] George Hamilton, who had grown up with the RUC and PSNI and who had a deep understanding of the nuances here, Simon is only beginning to go through that particular learning curve.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“There is absolutely no doubt that the volume on IRA historic and contemporary links to politics has been turned right down, because they are not the same as other terrorist organisations; None can compete with the fact that Sinn Fein is inextricably linked to the IRA, and given the Good Friday Agreement and the work towards peace, then of course no other organisations would have the influence over the direction of policy within a political organisation that the IRA Army Council has [with Sinn Fein].”<o:p></o:p></div>
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TUV leader Jim Allister took issue with the Chief Constable’s reaction to questions yesterday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Chief Constable’s comments to the Justice Committee about the status of the PIRA being a matter for the Secretary of State reminds Northern Ireland that there are double standards when it comes to criminality and terrorism in Northern Ireland,” he said. “Let’s not forget that the PIRA remain the deadliest murder group in Western Europe - something to which the graveyards of our Province bare chilling testimony”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ken Funston, SEFF’s Advocacy Services Manager said it was “precisely the Chief Constable’s role” to respond to MLAs’ questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He is a civil servant who must be accountable to those who are in positions of governance in this land,” he said. “He deliberately avoided the question rather than having to give an answer that others might have an issue with. If he had been asked a similar question on the status of republican dissidents or loyalists, there is little doubt that he would have answered the question. His failure to do suggests that he is allowing politics to interfere in the discharge of his role responsibilities”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Asked to address the apparent discrepancy between the November statement and the Chief Constable’s comments yesterday, the PSNI gave a short comment and a link to the 2015 report.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The assessment commissioned in 2015 by the then Secretary of State on Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland has not changed,” a PSNI spokeswoman said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In November the editor of a leading NI blog said that it was “extraordinary” how little attention was given to the PSNI revelation that the IRA Army Council still oversees Sinn Fein strategy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Slugger O’Toole Editor Mick Fealty told the Belfast News Letter: “We have accommodated ourselves to profoundly undemocratic norms. And one of the ways this shows itself is a general unwillingness to subject certain groups to the norms of accountability... And the idea that some people can be excused from that accountability on the basis that it is too political to subject them to accountability is a perfect example of that departure from democratic norms.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last week the Belfast News Letter reported that Provisional IRA members were linked to 26 murders since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, recent examples being, Paul Quinn murdered by Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan in 2007 and Kevin McGuigan murdered in Belfast on the direct orders of The PIRA Army Council which is now exclusively made up of Sinn Fein/PIRA members based in the north only.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Although it is not possible to give exact figures, an examination by the Irish Independent in 2005 carried a detailed profile of 39 individual murders it said had been committed by members of the IRA from its 1994 ceasefire up until 2005. If accurate this would now equate to 26 murders since the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in 1998.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A common theme, the Irish Independent found, was of individuals who had challenged IRA members in their own communities and paid a fatal price, some such challenges involved young men who had been raped by Sinn Fein/PIRA members when they were children. In 2018 academic and NI Policing Board member Paul Nolan found that 38 Catholic civilians had been killed by non-specified republican organisations since the GFA - a figure of similar proportions to the Independent’s. </div>
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However, dogs on the street know well that Sinn Fein/PIRA continue to murder, mutilate and rape at will, Sinn Fein/PIRA continue to ghost their rapists into the Freestate without notification to An Garda Siochana or Tusla.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall, Mr Nolan said republicans had taken 74 lives since the GFA.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-79141293597713208172020-01-29T10:19:00.001-08:002020-01-29T10:19:46.734-08:00Continuity IRA, MI5, Newry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seven men pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a covert MI5 bugging operation against the Continuity IRA in Newry over five years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The men had been due to go on trial next Monday over the undercover eavesdropping operation on a bungalow at Ardcarn Park in the city in 2014 where CIRA meetings had been held. Liam Hannaway, below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-0R_GVTVdLlSLyBu-6LtXzTqKyjePz6Eljp9fWMflGcv0ngzP0UUZBZ0TSzoUsXV4a8u6FM1Fe0T-0KoPx7gq0FFZFwcI9zbZ_W0-1EpR7_ghp0_tz-v5ThV0rBtv4xW2ATShTQKfw/s1600/Liam+Hannaway%252C+CIRA.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-0R_GVTVdLlSLyBu-6LtXzTqKyjePz6Eljp9fWMflGcv0ngzP0UUZBZ0TSzoUsXV4a8u6FM1Fe0T-0KoPx7gq0FFZFwcI9zbZ_W0-1EpR7_ghp0_tz-v5ThV0rBtv4xW2ATShTQKfw/s320/Liam+Hannaway%252C+CIRA.webp" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, the seven defendants were re-arraigned before Mr Justice Colton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Patrick Joseph ‘Mooch’ Blair (64), of Lissara Heights, Warrenpoint, Co Down, Liam Hannaway (50) of White Rise, Dunmurry in west Belfast, John Sheehy (35), of Erskine Street, Newry and Colin Patrick Winters (48), of Ardcarn Park, Newry, all pleaded guilty to charges of belonging or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation, providing weapons and explosives training, conspiring to possess explosives, firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">They further admitted conspiracy to possess explosives, firearms and ammunition with intent, along with preparing acts of terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Blair, Hannaway and Winters also admitted collecting information likely to be of use to terrorists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sheehy further pleaded guilty to attending a meeting at Ardcarn Park for the purposes of terrorist training. Winters also admitted to allowing his Ardcarn Park home to be used for the purposes of a terrorist meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seamus Morgan (64), of Barcroft Park, Newry, Kevin John Paul Heaney (46), of Blackstaff Mews, Springfield Road in West Belfast and Terence Marks (49), of Parkhead Crescent, Newry, all pleaded guilty to belonging or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Marks also admitted to a further charge of receiving training in the making or use of explosives for terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">All of the offences took place on dates between August 11, 2014 and November 11, 2014. Mr Justice Colton said he would release all seven defendants on continuing bail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In a previous court hearing in 2014 it was stated that police believed Winters’ home at Ardcarn Park was being used to host meetings of the Continuity IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">MI5 had gained access to the property and planted secret listening devices in a number of rooms. The court heard that suspects in the property had been recorded discussing potential targets for attack, including specific police officers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A PSNI detective told the court that the suspects were “leading key figures of a proscribed organisation”.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-39446010131227785602019-08-15T02:06:00.000-07:002019-08-15T02:22:00.672-07:00Peter Taylor, Documentary, Loughgall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Peter Taylor's documentary, "My Journey..." screened 14th August 2019, which includes unfounded allegations from nameless, faceless sources that information about The Loughgall operation in 1987 came from one of The PIRA members who was killed on the operation is nothing more than an invention of 'The Dark Arts' department of British Securocrats. The only volunteers on the Loughgall operation who had prior knowledge of that operation prior to a day before the operation were Patrick Kelly and Jim Lynagh, the British had 3 weeks prior knowledge of Loughgall as the target, the first indicator came from an RUC Informer in Monaghan Town. The same RUC Informer had told PIRA volunteers in Monaghan the morning following Loughgall that the SAS were lying around all the remote RUC stations in Tyrone/Armagh, only a donkey would have believed such nonsense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The leadership of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan have serious questions to answer as to why they allowed a fully-fledged RUC Informer back into the ranks of Sinn Fein/PIRA when he had served only a few months in Long Kesh for PIRA membership when he had admitted his role in two high profile murders. Owen Smyth (AKA Eoin Smyth) from Monaghan Town had been told in 1981 by PIRA Commander Jim Lynagh not to travel into the north, after members of The PIRA who had shot pensioner Norman Strong and his son James at Tynan Abbey were found by Gardai hiding in the basement of The Round House Bar in Monaghan Town which was owned by Owen Smyth’s Uncle Robert Loane but which was run and operated by Owen Smyth. When Owen Smyth was arrested by The RUC Smyth began to talk immediately and named every member of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan and anything else that he could tell the RUC about Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan. Owen Smyth would also tell a 17-year-old Vincent McKenna in Crumlin Road Jail that he had turned informer as he did not want to go to jail for the two killings, Owen Smyth also boasted that he and Jim Lynagh had planned the killings of Norman Strong and his son James. Seamus Shannon would be extradited in 1984 based on information provided to The RUC by Owen Smyth. Why did the Command Staff of The PIRA in Monaghan allow Owen Smyth to return to a position within Sinn Fein/PIRA that gave him access to details of PIRA operations including Loughgall? In 1990 Owen Smyth again turned informer when arrested by Gardai in relation to a Human Bomb attack in Fermanagh, again, Smyth had the charges against him mysteriously dropped and he returned to the Sinn Fein/PIRA fold.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Owen Smyth also has questions to answer in relation to his close association with two sisters from Monaghan Town who were bringing UDR members into Monaghan Town periodically between 1994-1997. These two sisters would be seen drinking with the said UDR members in loyalist pubs in places such as Caledon in County Tyrone. On one occasion the two women and the UDR members were followed from Caledon to Monaghan Town. These UDR members were being brought into Monaghan Town by the two women and the UDR men were using these visits as scouting missions for a UVF death squad who would later target Caoimhghín Ó’Caoláin in a bomb attack. Another UDR man would be found shot dead on the out skirts of Monaghan after the gun he was carrying went of as he was preparing to target a member of The PIRA. All of these questions remain unanswered, and various suggestions have been put forward as to why The PIRA in Monaghan failed to establish the truth in these matters, one theory being that Smyth was being protected by a high-ranking informer on The PIRA Command Staff in Monaghan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Loughgall is a picture-postcard village on the borders of Tyrone and County Armagh that with its neatly arranged window boxes and hanging baskets you would expect to win the best kept village competition year after year. Tourists come for the antique shops and cosy tea rooms that line its narrow main street. 31 years ago in 1987, other visitors came to Loughgall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The quiet of a May evening on 8 May 1987 was shattered by the thunder of SAS guns as the Regiment (as it is known) ambushed and wiped out one of the most heavily armed and experienced Active Service Units (ASU) the Provisional IRA had ever assembled. It was known as the ‘A’ Team. Eight bodies in boiler suits, some with balaclavas, lay bloody and dead on the ground and in the back of the van in which they had been travelling. The SAS had been lying in wait and had opened up with a barrage of over 200 rounds blasted from General Purpose Machine guns (GPMGs) and high-powered Heckler and Koch rifles. The SAS outnumbered and outgunned the IRA by three to one. The van was riddled like a sieve and its IRA passengers cut to pieces. It was the biggest loss the IRA had suffered since 1921 when a dozen of its men were wiped out by the notorious ‘Black and Tans’. Loughgall police station, a few hundred yards outside the village and the target of the IRA’s attack, was reduced to a twisted pile of concrete and rubble. The IRA just managed to detonate its 200 lb bomb before the SAS opened up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A few miles away in the ops room that was the nerve centre of the security forces’ Tasking and Co-Ordinating Group (TCG) from which the ambush had been directed, an SAS Commander, a Senior M15 Officer and two senior RUC Officers (both shot dead 1989, see, Smithwick Tribunal) anxiously gathered to hear the result of one of the most carefully planned M15, RUC and Army operations of the northern conflict. They gathered around an SAS officer who was in radio contact with the SAS commander on the ground, when the news came through, the SAS Officer turned to those gathered (TCG) and declared, “Total Wipe-out”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To the British, the SAS had given the IRA a taste of its own medicine and to Ulster Unionists clambering for the army to take the gloves off, not before time. There was celebration in the TCG at the unprecedented spectacular and quiet contentment in the Northern Ireland Office. Its Permanent Under-Secretary at the time, Sir Robert Andrew, later said how he felt on hearing the news. ‘My personal reaction was really one of some satisfaction that we had ‘won one’ as it were. I think it demonstrated to the IRA that the other side could play it rough. I hope it sent a message that the British government was resolute and was going to fight them.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Certainly the IRA had been playing it very rough. Only a fortnight earlier, it had assassinated Northern Ireland’s second most senior judge, Lord Justice Gibson and his wife with a 500 lb bomb as they drove back across the border after a holiday away. The explosives had come from Libya. The judge had been a prime target ever since he had acquitted the police officers who shot dead Gervaise McKerr (whose case was also ruled on at Strasbourg) and two other IRA men during a car chase in 1982. He commended them for bringing the deceased to ‘the final court of justice’. None of them was armed at the time. The then Northern Ireland Secretary, Tom King said, ‘We were conscious we were facing an enhanced threat and we took enhanced measures to meet it.’ The SAS was the cutting edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At the time of Loughgall, the IRA was brimful of confidence. It had recently had its bunkers filled almost to bursting with over 130 tons of heavy weaponry and high explosives smuggled into Ireland in four shipments courtesy of Mrs Thatcher’s sworn enemy, Colonel Gaddafi (murdered 2011) of Libya. The depleted ranks of its leadership had also been strengthened by the IRA’s mass break-out from the Maze prison in 1983, many of whose senior gunmen were still on the run. One of them was Patrick McKearney (32).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It was known that IRA Commander, Jim Lynagh, had developed a new Maoist strategy of liberating Green Zones, zones that would be cleared of the British and their collaborators. The IRA began its new strategy in 1985 with a devastating mortar attack on the RUC station in the border town of Newry in which nine police officers died. It followed it up with a bomb and gun attack on Ballygawley police station that left two RUC men dead. In 1986, it launched a bomb attack on another police station, unmanned at the time, in the tiny village of the Birches along the shores of Lough Neagh in County Tyrone. Now a new delivery system had been used, a JCB digger with a 200-lb bomb in the bucket. The digger smashed through the security fence, the bomb exploded and reduced the station to rubble. The attack on Loughgall was designed to be a carbon copy of the attack on the Birches. But this time British and Irish intelligence knew the IRA was coming and was across its plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The first indicator about the Loughgall operation came three weeks earlier from an RUC agent based in Monaghan Town, Patrick Kelly had travelled to Monaghan to meet Jim Lynagh, however, as often happened, Lynagh was not about, Patrick Kelly made the fatal mistake of making inquiries about Lynagh with Owen/Eoin Smyth, the Round House Bar, Church Square, Monaghan Town. Barely three weeks before Loughgall, five of the East Tyrone IRA had shot dead Harold Henry (52), a member of the Henry Brothers construction business that carried out repairs on security force bases. Just before midnight, the IRA took Mr Henry from his home, put him up against a wall and shot him dead with two rifles and a shotgun. He left a widow and six children. To the IRA he was a ‘legitimate target’, the first of more than twenty ‘collaborators’ to be ‘executed’ by the IRA for ‘assisting the British war machine.’ One of the weapons believed to have been used in the Henry killing was later retrieved at Loughgall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On the basis of the information passed to the Garda Siochana (Irish Police) and RUC Special Branch by the IRA informer in Monaghan Town, a major security operation was put into action. Extra SAS Teams were brought into the north, within hours of arriving in the north, the SAS Teams were brought to the firing range beneath the RUC Forensic Lab in Belfast, were they test fired similar weapons to those that would be used by the IRA Team at Loughgall. The SAS Team was briefed by Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan. This test firing would allow the SAS to distinguish between friendly and enemy fire on the night of the Loughgall executions. While the Monaghan Informer had given an indicator that a major operation was about to take place, the actual target was not immediately known, this would take a detailed mapping of a myriad of intelligence sources. The Monaghan Informer would contact his handler a couple of days before Loughgall to say that Jim Lynagh had moved to a safe house in Coalisland, County Tyrone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There was other vital intelligence too from M15′s listening devices planted inside the homes of IRA suspects, usually put in place when they were away – or even when the homes of the more prominent ones were being built. As long as the batteries held out, these technical devices – or ‘bugs’ – could be monitored many miles away or their content down-loaded by helicopters flying over the premises where they were hidden. It’s likely too that the location where the explosives were stored for the Loughgall bomb were also under M15 technical surveillance. They were probably also under human ‘eyes-on’ observation by operators of the army’s top-secret undercover unit, 14 Intelligence Company (known colloquially as the ‘Det’) and the RUC’s equivalent covert unit, E4A. ‘E’ is the code for the RUC’s Special Branch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The security force operation was put in place on Thursday 7 May, the day before the IRA’s planned assault. Three Special Branch officers from the RUC’s specialist anti-terrorist unit volunteered to remain inside the normally sleepy station as decoys to give the appearance of normality whilst the IRA did its ‘recce’. ‘Matt’, a veteran of such covert operations, was one of them. They entered the station with some of the SAS troopers as darkness fell on the Thursday night. They made sandwiches and cracked jokes to lighten the tedium of waiting and perhaps to calm the nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The joint leaders of the ASU was Patrick Kelly (30), an experienced IRA commander whose sister, supported by the other relatives, was a prime mover in bringing the Loughgall cases before the European Court. Kelly had been arrested in 1982 and charged with terrorist offences on the word of a ‘Super-grass’ but was subsequently released as the testimony lacked corroboration. Jim Lynagh was the second Commander and was the man most sought after by the British and Irish security services. Among the younger members of the ASU were four young friends from the village of Cappagh who had joined the IRA after the death of one of their village friend, Martin Hurson, on hunger strike in 1981. One of them, Declan Arthurs (21), was to drive the JCB with a 200 lb bomb in the bucket – just like the Birches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Throughout the long hours of Friday, the maze of country lanes around Loughgall police station were watched and patrolled by ‘Det’ operators on the look-out for the ‘A Team’. One of them was a young women called ‘Anna’ who was driving around the area with her ‘Det’ partner as part of the surveillance cordon. Suddenly they spotted a blue Toyota Hiace van. At first they thought it was simply stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle but when they realised it was a JCB, they immediately put Ballygawley and the Birches together. ‘You suddenly realize it’s the MO (modus operandi) used by the East Tyrone Brigade,’ she said. ‘It was like a replay. But this time we were on top of it and we knew what was happening. So we passed on the information to the TCG and pulled off.’ The Chief Constable of the time, Sir John Hermon, said the IRA ASU could not have been arrested. He said it was never a realistic option since the IRA would be unlikely to come out with their hands up and police officers lives would therefore be at grave risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At 7.15 pm as dusk gathered, the JCB with Declan Arthurs at the wheel and the bomb raised high in the bucket, trundled past the police station with the blue Toyota van in attendance. Both then turned and headed back in the direction whence they had come. Suddenly, the JCB roared into life, headed for the perimeter fence and crashed through it. Almost simultaneously, the van drew up outside, disgorging Patrick Kelly and other members of the ASU who sprayed the station with their assault rifles. The SAS almost certainly opened up the moment Kelly started firing. Everything seemed to happen at once in a deafening crescendo of noise. Inside the station, ‘Matt’ (Special Branch), who was by the front window, was only about ten metres from the JCB when it came to a halt right before his eyes. He turned and ran to the back with one word on his mind. Bomb! ‘I thought of the Birches and Ballygawley and the next minute there was an almighty bang. I was hit in the face, knocked to the ground and buried. I thought “I’m dead”, simple as that!’ Miraculously ‘Matt’ survived although buried in the rubble ‘inhaling dust and darkness.’ The ‘A’ Team did not. ‘Declan was mowed down. He could have been taken prisoner,’ his mother, Amelia Arthurs, said. ‘The SAS never gave them a chance.’ The photographs taken at the scene are gruesome. The van in which the IRA volunteers had travelled was ripped open by part of the shrapnel from the digger bucket when it exploded, this is new information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">‘Matt’ felt no sympathy for the bullet-riddled bodies on the ground outside the station and in the back of the van. ‘They were there to kill us,’ he said. ‘These guys were responsible for lots and lots of deaths in that area and other parts of the province. Dead terrorists are better than dead policemen.’ Forensic tests carried out on the IRA weapons retrieved at the scene were linked to eight killings and thirty-three shootings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The area around the police station had not been cordoned off since to have done so would have risked making the IRA suspicious and wary of the carefully laid ambush. As a result, two brothers returning home from work, were shot by the SAS. The security personnel who lay on the outer core of the ambush had been ordered to kill everyone within the kill zone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the soldiers thought they were part of the ASU or mistook their white Citroen for an IRA ‘scout’ car, maybe because one of the occupants was wearing a boiler suit. The brothers had been working on a car. The SAS fired forty rounds at the vehicle, killing Anthony Hughes (36) and seriously wounding his brother Oliver who was scarred for life. He said no warning was given. The RUC’s Chief Constable, Sir Jack Herman, described the attack on the two innocent men as ‘an unspeakable tragedy’ and blamed the IRA, not planning and operational shortcomings, for his death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When ‘Anna’, her ‘Det’ colleagues and the SAS returned to base, there were great celebrations. ‘There was a huge party and it probably went on for 24 hours,’ she said. ‘A lot of beer was drunk. We were jubilant. We thought it was a job well done. It sent shock waves through the terrorist world that we were back on top.’ She said of the dead IRA men. ‘They’re all volunteers and actively engaged against the British army. They’re ‘at war’ as they would describe it. My attitude is that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. We were just happy at the end of the day to be alive ourselves.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Some new information is contained in this article, it is certain that the first indicator for the Loughgall operation came from an RUC Special Branch Informer in Monaghan Town. This informer also contacted the RUC to let them know that Jim Lynagh had moved to a safe house in Coalisland just before the Loughgall operation. Once the security services had their first indicator of a major IRA operation, M15 and the RUC had to simply correlate their myriad of intelligence to match the A Team with their target. At the same time that M15 and the SAS were focused on the East Tyrone IRA, M16 were working closely with Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams and had adopted a hands-off approach to the IRA in Derry and Belfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There is no question that the relationship between Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and The British Secret Service lead to the SAS executions at Loughgall, the British wanted to undermine PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, McKenna wanted to take the war to the British and their collaborators and he viewed politics as nothing more than a public relations exercise that could provide cover for the real business of The PIRA, which was to drive the British apparatus out of Ireland. Adams and McGuinness had already sold out, and even at the graveside of Jim Lynagh, Adams would spout his lies when he said, “Anyone who does business with The British, The Freestate establishment or The SDLP are fools for they have all sold out on the Irish people”, Adams said these weasel words while he was already in bed with all of the above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sinn Fein/PIRA can get as many illiterates fools as they like to make videos for YouTube stating that Lynagh and Kelly would have supported Sinn Fein/PIRA’s British inspired ‘peace-strategy’, however, anyone one who was on the same intellectual level as Jim Lynagh would know well that Adams, McGuinness and their ‘peace strategy’ is nothing more than a British inspired surrender of Irish Republicanism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Keywords: Loughgall Martyrs, 32 Anniversary, Jim Lynagh, Patrick Kelly, Declan Authurs, SAS, Ambush, Gerry Adams</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-80465523430373754632019-05-08T09:57:00.000-07:002019-05-08T09:57:07.608-07:00The IRA, Dissident Republicans, IRA Derry City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Selective Internment of IRA
Members</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PSNI chiefs are preparing a
fresh directing terrorism case against the leader of the New IRA in Derry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thomas Ashe Mellon is the
target of a specialist team involving officers from the PSNI's terrorism
investigation unit (TIU) and MI5. Their orders are to bring down the
43-year-old dissident who allegedly runs the New IRA in Derry City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mellon has been convicted in
the past of writing a note that was smuggled into IRA inmates in Maghaberry
Prison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mellon was jailed for 15
months for having an article of use to terrorists and put on a 10-year MI5
watch-list, which is normally only reserved for senior IRA members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After getting out of prison in
2015, he allegedly assumed control of the IRA in Derry and was a key figure in
establishing the headquarters of its political wing Saoradh on Chamberlain
Street in the city, from which it is now being evicted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, Mellon's reign could
soon be at an end with the establishment of a specialist police unit with
orders to charge him with directing terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Officers from the TIU are
working with their counterparts in MI5 and the military's Special Reconnaissance
Regiment in targeting the IRA member.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Conversations are understood
to have been recorded and IRA meetings monitored, with unconfirmed reports that
Saoradh's Junior McDaid house has also been bugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Security chiefs used a similar
strategy to charge prominent republicans Colin Duffy, Alex McCrory and Harry
Fitzsimmons with directing the IRA's campaign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The trio are currently on
trial before a non-jury court denying the charge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Mellon was high on the
terrorism investigation unit's radar, but he became a priority target after the
accidental killing of Lyra McKee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"There were already
covert operations in place against the IRA and these have intensified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Cases like this take
time. They involve many hours of monitoring and recording, often with little
end result, but pieced together they do create enough evidence for
arrests."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Security sources say lessons
have been learned since the last time Mellon was charged with directing
terrorism and found not guilty by a judge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Admittedly the evidence
against him then was weak," added the insider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"It was more a case of
hitting him with a holding charge and getting him off the streets so he
couldn't cause any trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"The test for prosecution
this time round will be much stricter, it will take a lot more than his
handwriting on a scrap of paper."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mellon - a taxi driver by day
with an address on Rathmore Road - is extremely security conscious, having
served a previous prison sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The New IRA riot in the
Creggan area last month, which was put on for cameras filming there and led to
the killing of Lyra McKee, took place on the orders of the IRA in Derry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mellon did allegedly sanction
shots being fired at police, with one of the bullets hitting Ms McKee who was
standing beside a PSNI vehicle on Fanad Drive as a spectator. Mellon is also
aware that republican groups in Derry have been heavily infiltrated by
informants, with several members of the IRA jailed following police
intelligence-led operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of this, he keeps a
tight circle of friends, with his closest confidants being veteran dissident
Fergal Melaugh, who is in his 60s, and Kieran McCool (51), named in court as
being a "key member" of the IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Both men stood with Mellon
outside Junior McDaid House when Ms McKee's friends protested by putting red
handprints on its wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also standing with arms folded
outside the building was tattooed dissident Gary Hayden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 46-year-old was among 11
New IRA supporters, including Mellon, convicted last week of taking part in an
illegal Easter 2018 parade through the Creggan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They were videoed by police
wearing berets, sunglasses and combat fatigues with scarves covering their
mouths while marching in the estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The demonstration led to
trouble, with teenage rioters hurling petrol bombs at PSNI vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mellon and Hayden were fined
£750 each, as was Saoradh spokesman Joe Barr (30) and convicted IRA bomber Jason
Ceulemans (47), who was caught in 2012 with a rocket launcher in a car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ceulemans was jailed for five
years for possessing explosives, and having been released in 2017, is on
licence until 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He remains a free man despite
being convicted last week of taking part in an illegal parade in support of the
IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also convicted of taking part
in the march was William Martin McDonnell (32), who was caught by prison staff
smuggling alleged IRA leader Thomas Mellon's handwritten terror note into IRA
inmates at Maghaberry jail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He was sentenced to one year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ex-Provo Christy O'Kane (45)
was also fined £750 for his role in the Creggan IRA display.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 2008, he was sentenced to
10 years after walking into a PSNI station and confessing to involvement in
five IRA shootings and bombings that took place between 1993 and 1994.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because the offences took
place before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, O'Kane had to serve two years
behind bars.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-27580829503472137132019-04-19T06:37:00.000-07:002019-05-08T02:17:07.885-07:00Loughgall Martyrs 32 Anniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The leadership of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan have serious questions to answer as to why they allowed a fully-fledged RUC Informer back into the ranks of Sinn Fein/PIRA when he had served only a few months in Long Kesh for PIRA membership when he had admitted his role in two high profile murders. Owen Smyth (AKA Eoin Smyth) from Monaghan Town had been told in 1981 by PIRA Commander Jim Lynagh not to travel into the north, after members of The PIRA who had shot pensioner Norman Strong and his son James at Tynan Abbey were found by Gardai hiding in the basement of The Round House Bar in Monaghan Town which was owned by Owen Smyth’s Uncle Robert Loane but which was run and operated by Owen Smyth. When Owen Smyth was arrested by The RUC Smyth began to talk immediately and named every member of Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan and anything else that he could tell the RUC about Sinn Fein/PIRA in Monaghan. Owen Smyth would also tell a 17-year-old Vincent McKenna in Crumlin Road Jail that he had turned informer as he did not want to go to jail for the two killings, Owen Smyth also boasted that he and Jim Lynagh had planned the killings of Norman Strong and his son James. Seamus Shannon would be extradited in 1984 based on information provided to The RUC by Owen Smyth. Why did the Command Staff of The PIRA in Monaghan allow Owen Smyth to return to a position within Sinn Fein/PIRA that gave him access to details of PIRA operations including Loughgall? In 1990 Owen Smyth again turned informer when arrested by Gardai in relation to a Human Bomb attack in Fermanagh, again, Smyth had the charges against him mysteriously dropped and he returned to the Sinn Fein/PIRA fold.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Owen Smyth also has questions
to answer in relation to his close association with two sisters from Monaghan
Town who were bringing UDR members into Monaghan Town periodically between 1994-1997.
These two sisters would be seen drinking with the said UDR members in loyalist
pubs in places such as Caledon in County Tyrone. On one occasion the two women
and the UDR members were followed from Caledon to Monaghan Town. These UDR
members were being brought into Monaghan Town by the two women and the UDR men
were using these visits as scouting missions for a UVF death squad who would
later target Caoimhghín Ó’Caoláin in a bomb attack. Another UDR man would be
found shot dead on the out skirts of Monaghan after the gun he was carrying
went of as he was preparing to target a member of The PIRA. All of these
questions remain unanswered, and various suggestions have been put forward as
to why The PIRA in Monaghan failed to establish the truth in these matters, one
theory being that Smyth was being protected by a high-ranking informer on The
PIRA Command Staff in Monaghan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Loughgall is a picture-postcard village on the borders of Tyrone and County Armagh that with its neatly arranged window boxes and hanging baskets you would expect to win the best kept village competition year after year. Tourists come for the antique shops and cosy tea rooms that line its narrow main street. 31 years ago in 1987, other visitors came to Loughgall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The quiet of a May evening on 8 May 1987 was shattered by the thunder of SAS guns as the Regiment (as it is known) ambushed and wiped out one of the most heavily armed and experienced Active Service Units (ASU) the Provisional IRA had ever assembled. It was known as the ‘A’ Team. Eight bodies in boiler suits, some with balaclavas, lay bloody and dead on the ground and in the back of the van in which they had been travelling. The SAS had been lying in wait and had opened up with a barrage of over 200 rounds blasted from General Purpose Machine guns (GPMGs) and high-powered Heckler and Koch rifles. The SAS outnumbered and outgunned the IRA by three to one. The van was riddled like a sieve and its IRA passengers cut to pieces. It was the biggest loss the IRA had suffered since 1921 when a dozen of its men were wiped out by the notorious ‘Black and Tans’. Loughgall police station, a few hundred yards outside the village and the target of the IRA’s attack, was reduced to a twisted pile of concrete and rubble. The IRA just managed to detonate its 200 lb bomb before the SAS opened up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A few miles away in the ops room that was the nerve centre of the security forces’ Tasking and Co-Ordinating Group (TCG) from which the ambush had been directed, an SAS Commander, a Senior M15 Officer and two senior RUC Officers (both shot dead 1989, see, Smithwick Tribunal) anxiously gathered to hear the result of one of the most carefully planned M15, RUC and Army operations of the northern conflict. They gathered around an SAS officer who was in radio contact with the SAS commander on the ground, when the news came through, the SAS Officer turned to those gathered (TCG) and declared, “Total Wipe-out”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To the British, the SAS had given the IRA a taste of its own medicine and to Ulster Unionists clambering for the army to take the gloves off, not before time. There was celebration in the TCG at the unprecedented spectacular and quiet contentment in the Northern Ireland Office. Its Permanent Under-Secretary at the time, Sir Robert Andrew, later said how he felt on hearing the news. ‘My personal reaction was really one of some satisfaction that we had ‘won one’ as it were. I think it demonstrated to the IRA that the other side could play it rough. I hope it sent a message that the British government was resolute and was going to fight them.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Certainly the IRA had been playing it very rough. Only a fortnight earlier, it had assassinated Northern Ireland’s second most senior judge, Lord Justice Gibson and his wife with a 500 lb bomb as they drove back across the border after a holiday away. The explosives had come from Libya. The judge had been a prime target ever since he had acquitted the police officers who shot dead Gervaise McKerr (whose case was also ruled on at Strasbourg) and two other IRA men during a car chase in 1982. He commended them for bringing the deceased to ‘the final court of justice’. None of them was armed at the time. The then Northern Ireland Secretary, Tom King said, ‘We were conscious we were facing an enhanced threat and we took enhanced measures to meet it.’ The SAS was the cutting edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At the time of Loughgall, the IRA was brimful of confidence. It had recently had its bunkers filled almost to bursting with over 130 tons of heavy weaponry and high explosives smuggled into Ireland in four shipments courtesy of Mrs Thatcher’s sworn enemy, Colonel Gaddafi (murdered 2011) of Libya. The depleted ranks of its leadership had also been strengthened by the IRA’s mass break-out from the Maze prison in 1983, many of whose senior gunmen were still on the run. One of them was Patrick McKearney (32).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It was known that IRA Commander, Jim Lynagh, had developed a new Maoist strategy of liberating Green Zones, zones that would be cleared of the British and their collaborators. The IRA began its new strategy in 1985 with a devastating mortar attack on the RUC station in the border town of Newry in which nine police officers died. It followed it up with a bomb and gun attack on Ballygawley police station that left two RUC men dead. In 1986, it launched a bomb attack on another police station, unmanned at the time, in the tiny village of the Birches along the shores of Lough Neagh in County Tyrone. Now a new delivery system had been used, a JCB digger with a 200-lb bomb in the bucket. The digger smashed through the security fence, the bomb exploded and reduced the station to rubble. The attack on Loughgall was designed to be a carbon copy of the attack on the Birches. But this time British and Irish intelligence knew the IRA was coming and was across its plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The first indicator about the Loughgall operation came three weeks earlier from an RUC agent based in Monaghan Town, Patrick Kelly had travelled to Monaghan to meet Jim Lynagh, however, as often happened, Lynagh was not about, Patrick Kelly made the fatal mistake of making inquiries about Lynagh with Owen/Eoin Smyth, the Round House Bar, Church Square, Monaghan Town. Barely three weeks before Loughgall, five of the East Tyrone IRA had shot dead Harold Henry (52), a member of the Henry Brothers construction business that carried out repairs on security force bases. Just before midnight, the IRA took Mr Henry from his home, put him up against a wall and shot him dead with two rifles and a shotgun. He left a widow and six children. To the IRA he was a ‘legitimate target’, the first of more than twenty ‘collaborators’ to be ‘executed’ by the IRA for ‘assisting the British war machine.’ One of the weapons believed to have been used in the Henry killing was later retrieved at Loughgall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On the basis of the information passed to the Garda Siochana (Irish Police) and RUC Special Branch by the IRA informer in Monaghan Town, a major security operation was put into action. Extra SAS Teams were brought into the north, within hours of arriving in the north, the SAS Teams were brought to the firing range beneath the RUC Forensic Lab in Belfast, were they test fired similar weapons to those that would be used by the IRA Team at Loughgall. The SAS Team was briefed by Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan. This test firing would allow the SAS to distinguish between friendly and enemy fire on the night of the Loughgall executions. While the Monaghan Informer had given an indicator that a major operation was about to take place, the actual target was not immediately known, this would take a detailed mapping of a myriad of intelligence sources. The Monaghan Informer would contact his handler a couple of days before Loughgall to say that Jim Lynagh had moved to a safe house in Coalisland, County Tyrone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There was other vital intelligence too from M15′s listening devices planted inside the homes of IRA suspects, usually put in place when they were away – or even when the homes of the more prominent ones were being built. As long as the batteries held out, these technical devices – or ‘bugs’ – could be monitored many miles away or their content down-loaded by helicopters flying over the premises where they were hidden. It’s likely too that the location where the explosives were stored for the Loughgall bomb were also under M15 technical surveillance. They were probably also under human ‘eyes-on’ observation by operators of the army’s top-secret undercover unit, 14 Intelligence Company (known colloquially as the ‘Det’) and the RUC’s equivalent covert unit, E4A. ‘E’ is the code for the RUC’s Special Branch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The security force operation was put in place on Thursday 7 May, the day before the IRA’s planned assault. Three Special Branch officers from the RUC’s specialist anti-terrorist unit volunteered to remain inside the normally sleepy station as decoys to give the appearance of normality whilst the IRA did its ‘recce’. ‘Matt’, a veteran of such covert operations, was one of them. They entered the station with some of the SAS troopers as darkness fell on the Thursday night. They made sandwiches and cracked jokes to lighten the tedium of waiting and perhaps to calm the nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The joint leaders of the ASU was Patrick Kelly (30), an experienced IRA commander whose sister, supported by the other relatives, was a prime mover in bringing the Loughgall cases before the European Court. Kelly had been arrested in 1982 and charged with terrorist offences on the word of a ‘Super-grass’ but was subsequently released as the testimony lacked corroboration. Jim Lynagh was the second Commander and was the man most sought after by the British and Irish security services. Among the younger members of the ASU were four young friends from the village of Cappagh who had joined the IRA after the death of one of their village friend, Martin Hurson, on hunger strike in 1981. One of them, Declan Arthurs (21), was to drive the JCB with a 200 lb bomb in the bucket – just like the Birches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Throughout the long hours of Friday, the maze of country lanes around Loughgall police station were watched and patrolled by ‘Det’ operators on the look-out for the ‘A Team’. One of them was a young women called ‘Anna’ who was driving around the area with her ‘Det’ partner as part of the surveillance cordon. Suddenly they spotted a blue Toyota Hiace van. At first they thought it was simply stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle but when they realised it was a JCB, they immediately put Ballygawley and the Birches together. ‘You suddenly realize it’s the MO (modus operandi) used by the East Tyrone Brigade,’ she said. ‘It was like a replay. But this time we were on top of it and we knew what was happening. So we passed on the information to the TCG and pulled off.’ The Chief Constable of the time, Sir John Hermon, said the IRA ASU could not have been arrested. He said it was never a realistic option since the IRA would be unlikely to come out with their hands up and police officers lives would therefore be at grave risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">At 7.15 pm as dusk gathered, the JCB with Declan Arthurs at the wheel and the bomb raised high in the bucket, trundled past the police station with the blue Toyota van in attendance. Both then turned and headed back in the direction whence they had come. Suddenly, the JCB roared into life, headed for the perimeter fence and crashed through it. Almost simultaneously, the van drew up outside, disgorging Patrick Kelly and other members of the ASU who sprayed the station with their assault rifles. The SAS almost certainly opened up the moment Kelly started firing. Everything seemed to happen at once in a deafening crescendo of noise. Inside the station, ‘Matt’ (Special Branch), who was by the front window, was only about ten metres from the JCB when it came to a halt right before his eyes. He turned and ran to the back with one word on his mind. Bomb! ‘I thought of the Birches and Ballygawley and the next minute there was an almighty bang. I was hit in the face, knocked to the ground and buried. I thought “I’m dead”, simple as that!’ Miraculously ‘Matt’ survived although buried in the rubble ‘inhaling dust and darkness.’ The ‘A’ Team did not. ‘Declan was mowed down. He could have been taken prisoner,’ his mother, Amelia Arthurs, said. ‘The SAS never gave them a chance.’ The photographs taken at the scene are gruesome. The van in which the IRA volunteers had travelled was ripped open by part of the shrapnel from the digger bucket when it exploded, this is new information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">‘Matt’ felt no sympathy for the bullet-riddled bodies on the ground outside the station and in the back of the van. ‘They were there to kill us,’ he said. ‘These guys were responsible for lots and lots of deaths in that area and other parts of the province. Dead terrorists are better than dead policemen.’ Forensic tests carried out on the IRA weapons retrieved at the scene were linked to eight killings and thirty-three shootings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The area around the police station had not been cordoned off since to have done so would have risked making the IRA suspicious and wary of the carefully laid ambush. As a result, two brothers returning home from work, were shot by the SAS. The security personnel who lay on the outer core of the ambush had been ordered to kill everyone within the kill zone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the soldiers thought they were part of the ASU or mistook their white Citroen for an IRA ‘scout’ car, maybe because one of the occupants was wearing a boiler suit. The brothers had been working on a car. The SAS fired forty rounds at the vehicle, killing Anthony Hughes (36) and seriously wounding his brother Oliver who was scarred for life. He said no warning was given. The RUC’s Chief Constable, Sir Jack Herman, described the attack on the two innocent men as ‘an unspeakable tragedy’ and blamed the IRA, not planning and operational shortcomings, for his death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">When ‘Anna’, her ‘Det’ colleagues and the SAS returned to base, there were great celebrations. ‘There was a huge party and it probably went on for 24 hours,’ she said. ‘A lot of beer was drunk. We were jubilant. We thought it was a job well done. It sent shock waves through the terrorist world that we were back on top.’ She said of the dead IRA men. ‘They’re all volunteers and actively engaged against the British army. They’re ‘at war’ as they would describe it. My attitude is that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. We were just happy at the end of the day to be alive ourselves.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Some new information is contained in this article, it is certain that the first indicator for the Loughgall operation came from an RUC Special Branch Informer in Monaghan Town. This informer also contacted the RUC to let them know that Jim Lynagh had moved to a safe house in Coalisland just before the Loughgall operation. Once the security services had their first indicator of a major IRA operation, M15 and the RUC had to simply correlate their myriad of intelligence to match the A Team with their target. At the same time that M15 and the SAS were focused on the East Tyrone IRA, M16 were working closely with Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams and had adopted a hands-off approach to the IRA in Derry and Belfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There is no question that the relationship between Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and The British Secret Service lead to the SAS executions at Loughgall, the British wanted to undermine PIRA Chief of Staff, Kevin McKenna, McKenna wanted to take the war to the British and their collaborators and he viewed politics as nothing more than a public relations exercise that could provide cover for the real business of The PIRA, which was to drive the British apparatus out of Ireland. Adams and McGuinness had already sold out, and even at the graveside of Jim Lynagh, Adams would spout his lies when he said, “Anyone who does business with The British, The Freestate establishment or The SDLP are fools for they have all sold out on the Irish people”, Adams said these weasel words while he was already in bed with all of the above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sinn Fein/PIRA can get as many illiterates fools as they like to make videos for YouTube stating that Lynagh and Kelly would have supported Sinn Fein/PIRA’s British inspired ‘peace-strategy’, however, anyone one who was on the same intellectual level as Jim Lynagh would know well that Adams, McGuinness and their ‘peace straegy’ is nothing more than a British inspired surrender of Irish Republicanism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Keywords: Loughgall Martyrs, 32 Anniversary, Jim Lynagh, Patrick Kelly, Declan Authurs, SAS, Ambush, Gerry Adams<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-50790897288168809262019-02-09T11:33:00.001-08:002019-02-09T11:33:42.032-08:00Sean McVeigh New IRA, Conviction<br />
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Sean McVeigh New IRA, Conviction</h3>
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A dissident republican who was convicted yesterday of trying
to kill a policeman in 2015 was previously linked to the killing of prison
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Sean McVeigh (38), of Victoria Street in Lurgan, was
yesterday found guilty of placing a bomb under the car of the officer outside
his home in Eglinton in June 2015.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He had denied the attempted murder and possession of the
under vehicle improvised explosive device during a non-jury trial at Belfast
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In court yesterday Judge Stephen Fowler QC said he was
"satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt" that McVeigh was the man who
planted the device under the PSNI officer's car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It has now emerged that in 2014 McVeigh was charged with the
murder of Mr Black, who was shot dead on the M1 in November 2012 as he made his
way to work at the high security Maghaberry Prison.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 52-year-old father-of-two was the first prison officer
in to be murdered in almost 20 years and the killing was claimed by the New
IRA.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8frBvI261ecI3YuZbwbAjlm5HvCiVz9BG-eBtRHLnczx_zSq1o__H3lDAx3dXisoSgOvzV2WaRLD8PQHvwrtWtHN4JqAyGcu89XmWWRHrpzs2xUl-I5sxq6kKe8GR3wFdlvgubxqNA/s1600/Sean+McVeigh+convicted+New+IRA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="885" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8frBvI261ecI3YuZbwbAjlm5HvCiVz9BG-eBtRHLnczx_zSq1o__H3lDAx3dXisoSgOvzV2WaRLD8PQHvwrtWtHN4JqAyGcu89XmWWRHrpzs2xUl-I5sxq6kKe8GR3wFdlvgubxqNA/s320/Sean+McVeigh+convicted+New+IRA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As well as murder, McVeigh was also charged with possessing
an assault rifle with the intent to endanger life. However, the charges were
dropped by the Public Prosecution Service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After walking free from Craigavon Magistrates Court in July
2014, McVeigh signalled his intention to sue the PPS and PSNI for the time he
had spent in custody.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But less than a year later the dissident republican targeted
the police officer in Eglinton<o:p></o:p></div>
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The target's wife, also a police officer, told detectives
that she was asleep, but woke up and looked out of her bedroom window.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now retired from the PSNI, she spoke of her "sheer
disbelief" at seeing a "skinny man" attaching to her husband's
car what turned out to be a new type of improvised under-car explosive device.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She said that she was "so shocked" she rapped so
hard on her bedroom window that she bruised her knuckles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The court heard she immediately rang police and call
handlers at Maydown PSNI despatched three response vehicles to the scene.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Officers said they spotted two cars "travelling in
convoy" from the Waterside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The two vehicles were subsequently identified from automatic
number plate recognition technology and CCTV cameras as a black Volkswagen
Passat and a Toyota Verso, both with Republic of Ireland registrations, both of
which had been stolen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The court also heard evidence from a number of police
officers who said they spotted two cars "travelling in convoy" from
the Waterside towards the cityside of Derry. As a result, police at PSNI
Maydown alerted colleagues in An Garda Siochana based in Letterkenny. The
vehicles travelled to Lifford, where the Toyota was abandoned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The trial heard that as the Passat drove towards Ballybofey,
Co Donegal, it was spotted by a specialist Garda armed response unit, who gave
chase, stopping the car about a mile outside the village of Killygordon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Along with the driver and a rear seat passenger, McVeigh was
found sitting in the front passenger seat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a follow-up search of the route taken by the Passat Garda
found three pairs of Tesco Marigold-type gloves, later found to have traces of
explosives residue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In addition, RDX explosive traces were also found on
McVeigh's black outer jacket and tracksuit bottoms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Further traces of RDX were found on swabs taken from the
front seat of the VW car, the interior door handles and from the rear seat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Similar explosive traces were found on the Toyota car,
located six days later in the car park where it had been left that night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Following his arrest under Section 30 of the Republic's
Offences Against the State Act, the court heard McVeigh gave his name and date
of birth, but refused to answer any Garda questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He was subsequently released on bail by Garda detectives.
The trial heard that McVeigh was finally arrested over the murder bid in
Eglinton by PSNI detectives on a Lurgan-bound train in May 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The judge rejected defence arguments that traces of RDX
explosives found on McVeigh's clothing were from an "innocent
contamination".<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Fowler said he also drew an inference from McVeigh's
refusal to give evidence at his trial and said he was satisfied the defendant
was a front seat passenger in the car which took him to and from the scene of
the planned attack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He also rejected defence submissions that the device was not
capable of detonation and could have been an elaborate hoax.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The trial judge said it was a fully functioning device,
containing 322 grammes of Semtex explosives, with RDX being the main component.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Contained inside a black box, measuring 20cms by 15 cms by
20cms, the device was equipped with detonator, battery, circuit board, timer
unit, mercury tilt switch, two toggles and a copper cone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The copper cone was designed so that "on detonation it
was deformed by the blast into a 'slug' or rod-shaped projectile".<o:p></o:p></div>
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A subsequent field test on a model of car similar to that
driven by the policeman "showed that anyone sitting on the driving seat
would have sustained serious and possibly fatal injuries".<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Fowler said: "I am satisfied beyond reasonable
doubt that this was a viable device.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I am also satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that
this device was constructed and planted under the car with the intent to kill
the driver once the vehicle was moved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I find the defendant guilty on both counts."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Fowler remanded the defendant into custody and McVeigh
will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-82391546173075364302018-11-27T08:08:00.003-08:002018-11-27T08:08:52.097-08:00IRA, Diplock Court Belfast, Kevin O Neill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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IRA Attacks on Drug dealers for Protection Money</h2>
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Four men went on trial in Belfast facing a total of nine terrorist related charges between them, including IRA membership, possession of firearms, conspiracy to attack suspected drug dealers, collecting information on dealers and possessing materials useful to terrorists.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8CbYS6bONA7NTL0Dw4wrPxufFm4CA_5Ty6yLStmcec8lyDY-94aaZGNANtLia10xy8jyo1z-N8JlcLTRt-WCDNF4jzMkQu8wEM2syR6RNLD1kkPHJYsNuJEpEebcMy_av9vGpMnHMg/s1600/Provisional+IRA+Shooting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="497" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8CbYS6bONA7NTL0Dw4wrPxufFm4CA_5Ty6yLStmcec8lyDY-94aaZGNANtLia10xy8jyo1z-N8JlcLTRt-WCDNF4jzMkQu8wEM2syR6RNLD1kkPHJYsNuJEpEebcMy_av9vGpMnHMg/s320/Provisional+IRA+Shooting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The four men refused to stand at the start of the Diplock-style non-jury trial before Crown Court Judge Patricia Smyth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The court was told the men could allegedly be identified from covert voice recordings made by the security services.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A senior prosecution barrister further claimed the recordings, made between December 2013 and May the following year, taken together with other circumstantial evidence, the court could infer "that they are members of the IRA, carrying out activities on behalf of the IRA".<o:p></o:p></div>
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On trial are 52-year-old Dunmurry men, Mark Gerard Heaney of Lagmore Gardens, and Daniel Joseph Anthony McClean of Lagmore Gardens, and west Belfast men, 62-year-old Kevin O'Neill from Coolnasilla Park south and 41-year-old Robert Warnock O'Neill of Bingnian Drive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All are accused of IRA membership between December 2013 and June 2014, and conspiracy to inflict grievous bodily harm on a suspected drug dealer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Heaney and Robert O'Neill also face separate charges of possessing a firearm with intent and under suspicious circumstances, and with McClean also with collecting information on drug dealers and falsely imprisoning a suspected dealer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kevin O'Neill alone is additionally charged with possessing articles useful to terrorists including an imitation firearm, camouflage jackets and black gloves, allegedly uncovered during a search of his home following his arrest in June 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The trial continues on Wednesday when the court will hear a number of defence legal submissions on the admissibility as evidence of the alleged covert recordings of the men.<o:p></o:p></div>
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IRA, Diplock Court Belfast, Kevin O Neill, Joseph McClean, Mark Heaney, Robert O Neil</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-9697888403224571732018-10-11T07:08:00.003-07:002018-10-11T07:20:22.534-07:00McCabe Tribunal, Justice Peter Charleton, Maurice McCabe, Fianna Fail<h2>
<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">When Allegations of Sex Crime are used as a Political Weapon to Assassinate good people</b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Whatever political or social views are held by any citizen, no citizen should be content when false allegations of sexual crime are used against any individual for any reason. Garda <b>Maurice McCabe</b> was branded a sex criminal by the most senior member of An Garda Sochana, when no evidence ever existed to support such vexatious and malicious claims.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CHQ8rvCYU-YwoTByqq2H4H2UbFnlhj4yNvwPwuHlUIFycxa5VPmJBhL3PgJQpQCrOV34W0RNRMgBvLZCbqh3kvr5m9E2LpUrWp7ufqRl0D6CKpRhHTWOzbtAgHAkC3SIdf7y7Cr-tQ/s1600/Maurice+McCabe+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="800" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CHQ8rvCYU-YwoTByqq2H4H2UbFnlhj4yNvwPwuHlUIFycxa5VPmJBhL3PgJQpQCrOV34W0RNRMgBvLZCbqh3kvr5m9E2LpUrWp7ufqRl0D6CKpRhHTWOzbtAgHAkC3SIdf7y7Cr-tQ/s320/Maurice+McCabe+2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Each and every day false allegations of sexual crime are leveled against good people and in many cases these false allegations have led to people being convicted before the Courts and even The Court of Appeal has been fooled by well scholared liars and corrupt Gardai.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2018/07/vincent-mckenna-sinn-fein-provisional.html">Other High Profile Conspiracies</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Those who are hurt most by these political conspiracies are the real and actual victims of sexual crime, victims whose assertions will be more and more questioned as the public lose faith in a system that allows good people to be destroyed by people pursuing personal or political vendetta’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Where was the voice of so-called victims’ groups when it was clear that the State and some of its leading dignitaries had led a disgraceful and vexatious smear campaign against Maurice McCabe. Hundreds of Millions of Euro of Tax Payer’s money is being pumped into so-called victims’ groups to protect and speak up for the vulnerable, however, it appears from the Maurice McCabe conspiracy that those victims’ groups will not bite the political hand that feeds them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan told TD that Garda Sgt Maurice McCabe was a sex abuser, The Charleton Tribunal has found:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Charleton: Maurice McCabe was ‘repulsively denigrated’ for being no more than a good citizen and police officer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Charleton Tribunal has found that the then Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan told a Dáil deputy in early 2014 that whistle-blower Sgt Maurice McCabe had sexually abused his own family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In a report published on Thursday, Mr <span style="mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Justice Peter Charleton</span> said he accepted what the former head of the <span style="mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Public Accounts Committee</span>, John McGuinness, said in evidence of a meeting in a car park in West Dublin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Callinan, in his evidence to the tribunal, disputed the <span style="mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Fianna Fáil</span> deputy’s evidence about what was said in the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The finding is a devastating finding for a former head of the police force. The abuse claim against Mr McCabe was completely without foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr McGuinness told the tribunal that the then commissioner said to him that there were issues to do with Sgt McCabe, who at the time was being considered as a potential witness to the Dáil committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr McGuinness said he was told the sergeant “had sexually abused his family and an individual, that he was not to be trusted, that I had made a grave error in relation to the Public Accounts Committee and the hearings because of this, and that I would find myself in serious trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Callinan, in his evidence said he did not at any point “speak in derogatory terms of Sgt McCabe nor would I.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Justice Charleton said the conversation “as described by John McGuinness TD took place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">He also said that Nóirín O’Sullivan, who succeeded Mr Callinan as commissioner, had said she had no knowledge of the car park meeting. “There is nothing to show otherwise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Justice Charleton said that, at the time, Mr Callinan felt a “frontal assault” was needed to stop Sgt McCabe appearing before the committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“That involved, regrettably, a pretence that Maurice McCabe was not only unreliable but that reliance on him would be a trap, the springing of which, through him being charged with one or multiple sexual abuse allegations, would leave deputy McGuinness looking more than foolish.”</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Campaign of calumny</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The tribunal has also found that the former head of the Garda Press Office, Supt Dave Taylor, was involved in a campaign of “calumny” against Sgt McCabe and rejected Supt Taylor’s claim that he was acting under orders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“The tribunal is convinced that he pursued a scheme that somehow evolved out of his cheek-by-jowl working relationship with Commissioner Callinan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Their plan was that there was to be much nodding and winking and references to a historic claim of sexual abuse”, the judge said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">During the tribunal evidence was heard that in 2006 Sgt McCabe was the subject of a claim of historic child sex abuse but that the claim was dismissed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Justice Charleton said that Supt Taylor was a witness whose “credibility was completely undermined by his own bitterness”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Justice Charleton said he accepted the evidence given by the Security and Crime editor of <i>The Irish Times</i>, Conor Lally, who rejected a claim by Supt Taylor that he had been briefed negatively about Sgt McCabe.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Repulsively denigrated</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In his report, the <span style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Supreme Court</span> judge said of Sgt McCabe: “What has been unnerving about more than 100 days of hearings in this tribunal is that a person who stood up for better standards in our national police force, Sergeant Maurice McCabe, and who exemplified hard work in his own calling, was repulsively denigrated for being no more than a good citizen and police officer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">In investigating the calumny against him, other aspects of our national life have been laid bare, the judge said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The tribunal has not supported a claim that Ms O’Sullivan treated Sgt McCabe unfairly during the confidential hearings of the O’Higgins Commission, a claim that led to calls for her resignation during 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Mr Justice Charleton said there was a “rush to judgment” in the public mind when selected leaked information from the commission hearings came into the public domain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The tribunal also rejected the claim that a report broadcast on RTÉ by crime correspondent Paul Reynolds in May, 2016, had “branded” Sgt McCabe “a liar and irresponsible”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sgt McCabe believed that the RTÉ report was based on briefing material prepared by the Garda and used by former Garda commissioner Ms O’Sullivan to influence or attempt to influence RTÉ’s report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">However, these allegations are not upheld by Mr Justice Charleton in his report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“While there was a reference (in Paul Reynolds’ report) to an untruth told by Maurice McCabe to the O’Higgins Commission, there can be no criticism for reporting that,” Mr Justice Charleton writes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“Furthermore, a reference in the relevant term of reference, (k), to Maurice McCabe being branded as irresponsible is inaccurate. What Paul Reynolds did was honest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">“He was not under the directions of Garda Headquarters and he went about his job as an intelligent and independent reporter. In no sense was he a tool of the higher echelons of Garda Headquarters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">McCabe Tribunal, Justice Peter Charleton, Maurice McCabe, Fianna Fail</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-31230973379413846672018-08-06T14:47:00.003-07:002018-08-06T14:47:58.372-07:00Carl Reilly, Dissident Republicans, IRA, Courts, Belfast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Carl Reilly</b></h2>
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Continued detention of Irish Republicans by way of selective
internment, a regime supported and encouraged by Provisional Sinn Fein/PIRA.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6dIs7uCHBOSYTelEISjgj4yjhIz87JnlUZ72cR-cwLK9UKEOO0QrtRXKRyOt9DJc8mUIvyoxpTkwVvuGGMlmeVZhXFSKt1KDdYbDSi0y_B-mCNEdBut6lXn6D0lyZouHhhK4PefXXw/s1600/Carl+Reilly%252C+Belfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="620" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6dIs7uCHBOSYTelEISjgj4yjhIz87JnlUZ72cR-cwLK9UKEOO0QrtRXKRyOt9DJc8mUIvyoxpTkwVvuGGMlmeVZhXFSKt1KDdYbDSi0y_B-mCNEdBut6lXn6D0lyZouHhhK4PefXXw/s320/Carl+Reilly%252C+Belfast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A west Belfast man charged with allegedly plotting the
activities of a dissident republican terrorist group has been granted bail to
go on holiday to Spain with his wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Carl Reilly (42), of Pollard Street, is currently awaiting
trial on charges of directing the activities of a terorrist organisation and
professing to belong to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-33952032940949009172017-03-12T08:33:00.000-07:002017-03-12T08:33:32.682-07:00Saoradh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saoradh</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is difficult to understand
why anyone opposed to the sell-out of Irish Republicanism by the leadership of Provisional Sinn Fein/PIRA
could ever continence being associated with organisations such as ‘Republican
Network for Unity’ which includes many of those who played their part in the
sell-out of militant Irish republicanism. Still, it is perhaps better late than
never that militant Republicanism has found its own voice in the creation of
Saoradh whose membership can focus on purging the contempt shown by Provisional
Sinn Fein/PIRA for the blood sacrifice of true Irish Republicans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb0cyOjCogvj-C2jNS-KNxraQhkou8nbq5GS2SP43SdvDg4vgO9WWqgijaTbXoS8QP7KqPMMVOuy4TPVPZceywkPIeQXPtHaijHb_1vmWnUTemgiVoc9EmmoY9gxVTucpslKEUwvMvw/s1600/Saoradh-National-Executive-Committee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb0cyOjCogvj-C2jNS-KNxraQhkou8nbq5GS2SP43SdvDg4vgO9WWqgijaTbXoS8QP7KqPMMVOuy4TPVPZceywkPIeQXPtHaijHb_1vmWnUTemgiVoc9EmmoY9gxVTucpslKEUwvMvw/s320/Saoradh-National-Executive-Committee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The leadership of
Provisional Sinn Fein/PIRA are nothing more than proxies for their British
paymasters, they are traitors who can expect to find nothing at the end of
their treacherous British lead/funded careers than a lonely pitiful death as
now being experienced by MI6 Agent Martin McGuinness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saoradh is opposed to the
power-sharing government (although power-sharing suggests that there is some equilibrium
between unionism and constitutional nationalism, while this is clearly not the
case as the British remain fully and comprehensively in control of a British
driven agenda) and will hold demonstrations to support republican prisoners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Irish republicans opposed to
Sinn Fein treachery have launched a new political party called Saoradh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A range of high profile
Republicans from across Ireland gathered at a hotel in Newry in September 2016 to
outline their vision for Saoradh, the Irish word for Liberation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vgkKsmcOhgZSCxzzM8aRV6ZQJKuGfNn7SEI-NrjEfD3FBV3NeCEYsyXAsxBBW6geyw10NkTWQMcxtlDSGwa-mQRZKetpFo-ivMmLiiB3SiUwNADt0uz4KRng0t5A1QUXHT0KtgL9JA/s1600/Coiln-Duffy-IRA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vgkKsmcOhgZSCxzzM8aRV6ZQJKuGfNn7SEI-NrjEfD3FBV3NeCEYsyXAsxBBW6geyw10NkTWQMcxtlDSGwa-mQRZKetpFo-ivMmLiiB3SiUwNADt0uz4KRng0t5A1QUXHT0KtgL9JA/s320/Coiln-Duffy-IRA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The radical new party, which
is opposed to the power-sharing government in the North, will stage
demonstrations in support of republican prisoners. Its constitution says it
might, at some point, contest elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, if candidates are
put forward at future elections to the British Assembly, the Dáil or
Westminster it would be on an abstentionist basis, meaning seats would not be
taken if they were successful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At Saoradh’s first Ard Fheis in September 2016 newly elected chairman David Jordan was highly critical of Provisional Sinn
Féin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In remarks aimed at the
party he referred to its politicians as “false prophets who have been defeated
and consumed by the very system they claim to oppose”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A National Executive was
also elected and motions passed by Saoradh representatives who have formed a revolutionary party to represent the working class and further the
cause for an Irish socialist republic. The party has the support of prisoners
from the IRA in Maghaberry and Portlaoise jails and calls were made for the
release of all political prisoners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A statement from Saoradh
said a “significant collective of Irish Republican activists”, who have acted
autonomously in the past, had reached agreement to launch the party. “Saoradh
believes that Ireland should be governed by the Irish People with the wealth
and wealth producing mechanisms in the ownership of the Irish people,” the
statement said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“This cannot happen while
British imperialism un-democratically retains control of Irish destinies and
partitions our nation, this cannot happen while a neo-colonial elite in a
subservient supposed indigenous administration sell’s the nation’s labour and
natural resources to international capital.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIQEge2H9-7RDzJsRjyb8KZ39CjVh43CfaFsJOUDAbqeDSuR8gH8SgRqX99hIBzgvPGYOQXt0AjP3OGzFGDZMu-_k0L0F8NocFAMspOhOOOGJqeJxvIESFsSuFFZFZ_EVAW1F7Qd6SQ/s1600/Saoradh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIQEge2H9-7RDzJsRjyb8KZ39CjVh43CfaFsJOUDAbqeDSuR8gH8SgRqX99hIBzgvPGYOQXt0AjP3OGzFGDZMu-_k0L0F8NocFAMspOhOOOGJqeJxvIESFsSuFFZFZ_EVAW1F7Qd6SQ/s320/Saoradh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The party believes any
assembly claiming to speak for the Irish people “without being elected by the
united people of the Irish nation to be illegal”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Saoradh will seek to
organise and work with the Irish people rather than be consumed and usurped by
the structures of Ireland’s enemies,” the statement continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Among those in the audience
in Newry, who also heard from speakers from the Free Tony Taylor campaign and
the Craigavon Two campaign, was Irish republican Colin Duffy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The chairman of a new
republican political party has described it as an “unashamed revolutionary
party”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saoradh, which means 'Liberation'
in Irish, held its first ard fheis in Co Down in September 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Republicans from across
Ireland attended the event, during which Co Tyrone ex-prisoner David Jordan was
selected as the party’s first chairman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other high-profile
republicans at the launch at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry included Colin
Duffy and his brother Paul, Dee Fennell and Nuala Perry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jordan, who is currently on
bail after being charged with trying to kill a PSNI officer in a bomb attack in
Castlederg in 2008, said the new party will be rooted in socialist politics and
be controlled from the “ground up”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the event Derry
republican Thomas Ashe Mellon read out a message of support from prisoners
aligned to the ‘IRA’ in Maghaberry and Portlaoise prisons, saying they rejected
"sectarianism and sexism which have been prevalent in the past".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A message was also read out
from veteran Belfast republican Billy McKee, a founding member of the
Provisional IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In an address to members,
the new chairman said the leadership will be regularly rotated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I have no desire to sit as
your chair for longer than is necessary. The Irish habit of following the
personality rather than principles has been disastrous in the past for
political movements and I am sure that as a collective we can rise above
that."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And in another thinly-veiled
criticism of Provisional Sinn Fein, he was critical of those who participate in
the current political institutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Those who sit in the pay of
our nation's oppressor while claiming to champion our liberation are false
prophets who have been defeated and consumed by the very system they claim to
oppose," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"These institutions are
the harness for the horse; they are designed to prevent the Irish people
regaining their national sovereignty."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He claimed history was
"littered with the failures of successive ventures into constitutional
nationalism".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Currently elections do not
advance our strategic objectives, but remain a weapon in our arsenal when
fought on an abstentionist basis with regards to foreign parliaments and
partitionist assemblies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The new party was said to
represent the “birth of a radical, revolutionary, republican party that will
increase the relevance of our ideology across society and show our enemies that
we can match our faith with forceful articulation, growth, participation and,
most importantly of all, genuine activism”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking after the
conference, Jordan said Saoradh is a “stand alone” party with no links to other
political groups or organisations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He said talks aimed at
forming it have been taking place for several years and involved a range of
organisations, with branches have already been set up the length and breadth of
Ireland.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-47831814760521190092017-03-06T13:59:00.001-08:002018-08-06T14:50:53.656-07:00Martin McGuinness Dead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Martin McGuinness Dead</h2>
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The death of <b>Martin McGuinness</b> who worked as an <b>MI6 Agent </b>for over 30 years will be met with relieve by many whose family members were tortured ad murdered under the direction of <b>Martin McGuinness </b>as he worked for his <b>British MI6 Handlers</b>. Hundreds of Catholics were tortured, murdered and raped while <b>McGuinness</b> maintained his position in the Provisional IRA with help from his British paymasters, many with the same paymasters will pay homage to <b>McGuinness</b> and his murderous career as a British Agent, few will want to face up to the reality of <b>McGuinness's </b>actual role in the murder and torturer of hundreds of innocent Catholics, McGuinness was only one of several senior members of <b>Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA</b> who worked for decades while in the pay of MI6, MI5 and RUC Special Branch. <b>Martin McGuinness </b>was responsible for the deaths of dozens of PIRA volunteers who were slaughtered along the Tyrone, Fermanagh and south Armagh axes as the British strengthened the hand of <b>McGuinness </b>while weakening the hand of Kevin McKenna and others who were not prepared to surrender.</div>
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In 2009 a senior <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sinn Fein</strong> member, Jim Gibney, paid Tribute in The Irish News, to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sean McKenna</strong> Jnr and his Father Sean McKenna Snr when he said, “The McKennas are republicans. They believed partition was wrong and actively opposed British occupation. They paid a high price for their political convictions.”</div>
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Sean McKenna was on the first <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Provisional IRA Hunger Strike</strong> in Long Kesh which began on the 27<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> of October 1980, Sean would remain on hunger strike for 53 days, at which time he fell into a coma and <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Brendan Hughes</strong> called off the hunger strike as the British had granted concessions, Sean McKenna was then subject to electric shock treatment and his heart was restarted.</div>
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Following Sean’s release from Long Kesh he worked with his cousin <a href="http://vincentmckennaira.blogspot.ie/" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: #2b6088; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Vincent McKenna</a> in Monaghan Mushrooms in Monaghan Town, and during this period Sean McKenna recorded his life story on four-track tape. Sean gave the tapes to his cousin Vincent McKenna and asked Vincent to transcribe and publish the tapes after Sean had died. Now in 2013 Vincent McKenna has transcribed the tapes and publishes them here to coincide with the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Monaghan Town </strong>on the 4th of August 2013.</div>
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In the transcribed tapes <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sean McKenna</strong> accepts that he freely volunteered for the first <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">IRA hunger strike</strong> in 1980 and that he again put his name forward for the second hunger strike in 1981, although he was still in hospital recovering from the first hunger strike at the time. Sean McKenna claims that it was the Prison Officers Association’s refusal to implement the ‘concessions’ offered by the British that created the conditions for a second hunger strike in which 10 Irish Republicans would die.</div>
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Sean McKenna also controversially claims that during the second hunger strike, the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">IRA Officer Commanding, Bik McFarland</strong>, was forcing <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hunger strikers</strong> to sign affidavits in front of solicitors, and that these documents would ensure that when hunger strikers fell into comas, their families would not be allowed to have them resuscitated, this action says McKenna, was wrong and not republican. McKenna states categorically that the IRA leadership inside and outside<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Long Kesh</strong>, got carried away with the publicity being generated by the hunger strikes and were prepared to allow men to die for political gain.</div>
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Other hunger strikers such as<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Richard O’Rawe</strong> would support the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">McKenna </strong>thesis that the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">IRA leadership</strong> were more concerned with electioneering than they were with the lives of Irish republicans in Long Kesh. This thesis is further supported by Official British papers released under the 30 year rule in 2011 which appear to vindicate O’Rawe’s claims that the IRA leadership vetoed a deal put forward by <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Margaret Thatcher’s government</strong>.</div>
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The concessions offered by Thatcher and the timing of the offer, suggests that four IRA and two INLA hunger strikers died needlessly in order to facilitate the political ambitions of certain people within the leadership of the Provisional IRA, in particular Gerry Adams TD.</div>
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While it has always been suggested that all communication between<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> MI6 and the IRA</strong> leadership (before/during and after the hunger strikes) was passed through a Derry based ‘middleman’ a communication between <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MI6 Agent Michael Oatley</strong> and Martin McGuinness (1993), reproduced here and published publicly for the first time, shows that there was a very direct line of communication between <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Martin McGuinness and MI6</strong>, however, this particular line of communication between McGuinness and MI6 suggests that Martin McGuinness was an MI6 Agent rather than a negotiator on behalf of the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Provisional IRA</strong> or <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sinn Fein</strong>. This assertion can be made, as Oatley was not part of the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MI5</strong> lead negotiating team that was engaged with the IRA leadership in 1993, Oatley had been replaced by a senior <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MI5 Officer, John Deverill</strong>, both Oatley and John Deverill had at all times been advised by former IRA Commander/MI5 <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Agent Sean O’Callaghan</strong>, hence, Oatley’s use of the Irish language in his communication to McGuinness.</div>
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Dealings between the IRA and MI6 go back to the early 1970’s when the intelligence agency operated out of a house in Hollywood, Co Down known as Laneside. In 1974 and 1975 a Foreign Office diplomat, James Allen and a senior MI6 Agent, Michael Oatley regularly met IRA leaders there during what became known as “the Feakle ceasefire”, from this time forward many Senior IRA activists such as McGuinness were groomed by M16.</div>
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Here is reproduced an exact copy of a communication (1993) sent from MI6 Agent Michael Oatley (The Mountain Climber) to Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein/IRA Leader in 1993. Later in 1994 IRA Chief of Staff Kevin McKenna would give a rare interview to Eamon Malley from Downtown radio in which McKenna would say, “As long as the boys with the balaclavas are at the table I am happy enough”, this was a reference to the IRA members who made up the Sinn Fein delegations meeting with the British Government in 1994. However, while <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Kevin McKenna was IRA Chief of Staff,</strong> no effort was made by the northern leadership to facilitate McKenna at the negotiating table and McKenna had to rely heavily on <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD</strong> who acted as a messenger between the northern leadership and McKenna who was on-the-run and living in Smithboro in County Monaghan.</div>
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In the communication Oatley refers to the National Chairman (<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John Major</strong>) and the National Executive (the British Cabinet), the Local Chairman refers to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sir Patrick Mayhew</strong> (northern Secretary of State at the time). The headline events relate to several IRA bomb attacks in the north of Ireland and also the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Warrington bomb</strong> that killed two school boys.</div>
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When <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sir Patrick Mayhew</strong> was speaking at a public lecture in Queens University at this time, he was asked by a student if the British were engaged in talks with Sinn Fein/IRA, Sir Patrick denied any talks were taking place at any level. When the same question was put to<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> John Major in the House of Commons</strong>, Major said it would make his stomach sick to think that anyone from his Government or Government officials would be talking with terrorists. When the communication below was privately shown to certain trusted journalists, McGuinness tried to counteract its content by going public in a British crafted documentary explaining that all of his contact with MI6 was at the direction of the republican leadership, however, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">McGuinness has failed</strong> to explain the tone and tenor of this communication from Oatley, and why Oately was still communicating with McGuinness in 1993 long after Oatley had been removed from the British negotiations with the IRA.</div>
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In the aftermath of the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1994 IRA cease-fire</strong> there was a ‘war of words’ or ‘political theatre’ between the northern IRA leadership and the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">British Government</strong> as to whether ‘decommissioning’ had been part of the negotiated process, in a bizarre move Michael Oatley moved to help the McGuinness argument that decommissioning was not part of the immediate process, in so doing, Oatley supplied some of his <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">official documents</strong> and notes relating to the IRA talks to a senior academic at Queens University in Belfast to help resolve the issue, the communication below was accidentally included in Oatley’s documents and those documents were accessed and copied by an IRA intelligence officer.</div>
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A Chara</div>
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I hope this communication finds you well since our last meeting, needless to say that the National Chairman is unhappy with recent high profile events both here on the mainland and in your locality. The National Chairman is finding it difficult to sell any part of our discussion to the National Executive. Recent headline events are unfortunate to say the least and slow down any forward movement in the immediate future. I don’t need to emphasis the importance of restraining headline events such as those we have witnessed over recent months. While both the National and Local Chairmen understand the need for you to retain your position, further, high profile events will continue to undermine our work.</div>
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Martin I hope you don’t mind if I conclude by giving a new meaning to Tiocfaidh ár lá.</div>
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Is Mise</div>
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Michael Oatley</div>
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The claims by O’Rawe are disputed by those who made political and monetary gain off the backs of the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hunger strikes</strong>, people such as Danny Morrison suggest that the Official British papers support the IRA leadership’s decision to push on with the hunger strike as the British had not ‘formulated a final position’. However, O’Rawe and the British papers suggest that a resolution to the hunger strike crisis was available in early July 1981. In 2011 the businessman who had acted as ‘go-between’ for <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MI6 and the IRA</strong>, before, during and after the hunger strike period, Mr Brendan Duddy provided his own private papers on the hunger strike period to Galway University and those papers support the view that a deal was possible in early July 1981 before another six republicans died on hunger strike.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Brendan Duddy</strong> who has never shown any political bias in his role, supports the view held by <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">O’Rawe</strong> that on the 5th July 1981 the British had went a long way towards meeting the demands of the hunger strikers and the prisoners would have accepted those terms, at least as something to work with going forward. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">O’Rawe</strong> believes that the IRA leadership in some guise or other, wanted to capitalise on the deaths of the hunger strikers and wanted to get Owen Carron and others, if possible, elected.</div>
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It is reasonable to suggest that the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Provisional IRA/Sinn Fein leadership</strong> wanted to capitalise on the hunger strikes, this could be seen clearly in Fermanagh/South Tyrone and Cavan/Monaghan, were scarce resources were spent on several election campaigns off the back of the election of Bobby Sands and Kieran Doherty, for example, in Monaghan/Cavan Sinn Fein fought two general election campaigns in 1982, at a time when IRA volunteers were struggling to accumulate enough ammunition for gun attacks on British Army bases close to the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Monaghan</strong> ‘border’. Prisoner’s wives were receiving little benefit from all of the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Prisoners Dependence Fund (PDF)</strong> money being collected around the country; as such money was being used for election expenses.</div>
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It is clear from Duddy’s own records that the British had offered concessions that could have ended the hunger strike, however, it appears that <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gerry Adams and other IRA leaders in Belfast</strong> wanted to capitalise on the deaths of the hunger strikers, and it is clear that IRA leaders in the south of Ireland were not shown the detail of the British concessions, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ruari O’Bradaigh</strong>, told this writer that he had never seen the deal offered by the British.</div>
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While <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Danny Morrison</strong> and others, who benefited politically and monetarily from the death of the hunger strikers, try to rubbish many former comrades, the reality is that the IRA leadership trusted Bendan Duddy for over 20 years, and he has no reason to lie about his role. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Professor Paul Bew</strong>, Ireland’s foremost authority on the northern conflict, suggests that the British papers neither prove nor disprove O’Rawe’s thesis.</div>
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I was born in Clara in north Monaghan in 1954, my Mother is Bridget Keogh from Clogher in County Tyrone and my Father was Sean McKenna from Clara in north Monaghan. My Father Sean McKenna was a farm labourer and small farmer. In 1957 my Mother and Father decided to move the family to Ivy Hill College in Newry, where my Father worked on the College farm as a manager and was paid £11 per-week. I was left in Tyrone with my Grandmother at this time, I have no idea why and nobody has ever explained it to me.</div>
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I eventually moved to the farm cottage in Newry with the rest of the family, I began my school days in the Mercy Convent in Newry, soon afterwards the nuns decided that the school should be an all-girl school and so I had to move to Abbey Yard Christian Brothers School. I remember a Miss Lennon, very old fashioned, very strict, but alright.</div>
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The Christian Brothers taught me well, and one particular Christian Brother from County Kerry taught us about Irish Republicanism, at this time I was also hearing many stories at home about Sinn Fein and the IRA, both my parents were republicans, more so on my Father’s side of the family.</div>
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I was being conditioned to republicanism from a young age, my Father could play the accordion, and we had great nights in Newry when my Father’s brothers, Peter, Arthur, Patsy and my cousins would come, songs stirred emotions, great thing to fight for your country and even die for your country if possible. I remember great nights with the Attys (McKennas) from Monaghan and the McGeoughs from Clogher. My Father bought some books for me, they were about the IRA 1957-62 campaign and I got some books myself when I was 11-14 years old.</div>
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When I was 7 years old I got a dog in Monaghan, I would go hunting with my dog after school and even mitch school for hunting, school was a lot of nonsense, I thought. When I was 11 years old, I done a lot of hunting between Newry and Poyntzpass, it was a happy childhood.</div>
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In 1968 the Civil Rights Campaign started, I had no clue about civil rights, I was about 13 years old, I heard about police brutality, people beaten and killed, I hated the police, I was brought up to hate the police. I went to civil rights marches, at the time I worked in Mick McArdle’s shop.</div>
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I told my Mother and Father that I was going to a civil rights march, my Father said that civil rights was no good, that we needed the country free, my Mother asked my Father to explain politics to me, in about 10 minutes he explained nationalist and unionist, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, all of this was explained to me in 10 minutes, that was it.</div>
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When I went to the civil rights march I enjoyed the crack, fighting the police, I went back to work and Mick McArdle told me not to get involved too much, however, I enjoyed the fighting and used the civil rights marches to get at the police.</div>
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I then began working at the college farm, my Mother’s brother John was manager on the farm and it was good. I wanted to join the IRA, however, the Offical IRA would not take me until I was 16 years old, I was only 15, then there was talk of a split, my Father set up a <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Provisional Sinn Fein Cumann in Newry</strong>, my Father asked me to join the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sinn Fein Cumann</strong>, I told my Father I was only interested in fighting the Brits, my Father said, “join this Cumann and you will get all the fighting you want”.</div>
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The Cumann was a boring carry-on, I sold <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">An Phoblacht/Republican News</strong> or a version of it at that time, I was with good people, the right people, people I wanted to be with, however, I wanted more. A few nights around the cottage in 1970, boys arrived at the house, I did not know them, I knew there was something big on. Joe Conway stands out he was about six foot tall, 54 years of age, good fighter, bouncer around Newry. I could see boxes going in and out of the shed, I knew there something big on, there were men working in the garage, that night there would be an explosion in the town, buildings destroyed, I knew my Father was in the IRA and so I tortured him to get me in, eventually he agreed and I was sworn in at the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paul Smith Sinn Fein rooms in Newry</strong>. It was good to be in the IRA, I was sent away to training camps in the south of Ireland.</div>
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I was trained to use weapons, Thompsons, carbines, 38s or 32s that’s all we had, the training was good but I wanted to use them, I was 16. One night at the cottage in Newry older men came back with a bomb and did not plant it, the bomb was primed, I asked an older IRA man to give the bomb to me and I would stick it somewhere. I took the 15lb gelignite bomb that had a 15 minute blue fuse, and I blew up a transformer, I was only hitting ordinary people, but I did not know that nor did the fellow that sent me. It blew the transformer away and I was happy enough. I then meet with Joe Conway and he trained me in making bombs, I liked bombs, I was really interested in landmines.</div>
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Joe trained me in landmines, Joe would take me up from Newry and we would walk over the mountains and move to Louth, sometimes we had guns, it was all about watching and learning, I was 16 years, Joe helped me a lot, I am grateful to Joe.</div>
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The next thing I done a few more bombs around Newry using gelignite, however, gelignite was scarce, in 1970 people wanted us to do something, the Brits were on the streets, my Father and other men would use 303 Rifles and fire as few shots at the Brits. I had some good times planting bombs and levelling buildings, I enjoyed it. I was still in Sinn Fein going to parades, I went to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fergal O’Hanlon commemoration in Monaghan Town </strong>and <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Daithi O’Connell</strong> impressed me when he was speaking at that commemoration.</div>
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We were operating in Newry, Down and south Armagh, we were getting tougher and the Brits were getting tougher, our house had been searched in 1970, my birthday was in Feb and I was 17, I was operating and doing the best I could.</div>
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There was an operation in Newry and it did not come off, we had ten rifles, my Father and I carried them across fields, it was the 8<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> of August 1970, we hid the weapons up trees, my Father had pains that night and so he went home and I hid the rest of the weapons and the ammunition. I got home about 3.30am on the 9<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> of August 1970, the Brits came into the house at 4am and the Brits were in bad temper, I thought the IRA had shot someone, we were taken to the UDR barracks, there were 50 or 60 men in the UDR Barracks, some Provos and some Stickys, many others who had nothing to do with republicanism were also lifted, the sticks were nervous and afraid.</div>
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The following morning we were moved to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ballykinlar Army Barracks</strong>, it was rough stuff, kicking and punching, some of the older men were not fit for it, I was 17, I was fit for it. They took us into Nissan huts, made us lay on the floor and began exercising us, they worked us all day, we had a stew and bucket of water, we got no break, the exercising and beatings went on to 4am the next morning, press ups, sit ups, the soldiers were changing every few hours and if you did not do it you got beat. The beatings were horrific, men were beaten unconscious.</div>
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I was taken in by the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">RUC Special Branch</strong>, they talked to me, gave me a cigarette and so forth and sent me out after 15 minutes, I was crumbling, and they knew it, the older men, hard-men were crumbling, we could not get away.</div>
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I did not tell them where the guns or explosives were. I was sent out again and I was exercising again. I had not seen my Father in Ballykinlar, the next morning the helicopters began to arrive, dogs were put on us, and men were kicked and beaten. We were beaten into helicopters by ordinary British Soldiers.</div>
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We were taken to the Belfast Dock and I was put on the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Maidstone Prison Ship</strong>, I was being signed out of army custody into prison custody, they would not believe my age, they gave me a good shake before an RUC man confirmed my age, I got a good shaking for nothing.</div>
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We were treated to the normal degrading prison stuff, naked, degrading, I was a country boy being taken in on the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Maidstone Prison Ship</strong>, there were 120 of us on the Maidstone, the older men had been in jail before, and they were not bothered. There was a Sticky and Provo battle about who would be in control. A Derry man was appointed commander. It was a very warm summer, the heat, the dormitory was deadly hot, we ran about in trousers, all the Newry men were there, and so I talked to everybody, Jimmy Savage looked after me like a son.</div>
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My Father was not on the Maidstone, I did not know where he was, Crumlin Road Jail had been mentioned, Jimmy Savage was good to me, we got visits for which we had to walk along a gang-plank to a wee hut, my Mother and sisters would visit once per month, and we were allowed one letter per month. I got used to prison life; Jimmy Savage had been in during the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">IRA campaign in 1957-62</strong> so I am indebted to Jimmy.</div>
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I was then moved to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Long Kesh</strong> in November, I was in Cage 1 and then Cage 2 opened, they were moving men from <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Crumlin Road Jail</strong>, the first time I seen my Father his hair had went from grey to pure white, he looked bad, I did not know what had happened to him.</div>
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I had to shout from Cage 1 to my Father in Cage 2, we made scrumpy (alcohol) in the Cage, it was not great, it would not do much for you, we began making handkerchiefs and handcraft, Jimmy had me building things out of matches.</div>
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On the 11<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> of October 1971, the Brits sent in dinner to Cage 2, the grub was bad, I am not sure if the army was cooking it, or ordinary convicts, it was rough, beef burgers, we lost the head, tempers got out of hand, Frank McGarry lost the head. The screws ran out of the Cage and we burned the canteen, 500/600 Brits started firing gas in to the Cage, they saturated the place with gas, everyone hit the ground, the Brits came in with pick axe handles and other tools, they just beat everyone, 40 men were carried out unconscious, Frank McGlade 71 carried out unconscious, they got the tools from the other Cage that was still being built, it was a rough night.</div>
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I was moved to Cage 5, and Cage 3 closed, my Father moved to Cage 5 with me, visits and all continued, we were now official internees, we were allowed 4 letters per week, visit per week, my Father and I took joint visits with my Mother and sisters, my Father was pretty upset.</div>
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There was twenty-seven of us in Cage 5 the crack was good, Paddy O’Hagan, and Jimmy Fields from Armagh were great men for the stories. One night I was on the top bunk and my Father was on the bottom bunk, and my Father was crying, I did not know what was wrong with him. I did not know what to say, you don’t see your Father crying. He told me about after the 9<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup>August and how he had been tortured, he had been subject to beatings, dropped from helicopters, strange noises that distorted his balance and senses, he was in a bad way. Jimmy Savage, and others got up, next morning my Father went to hospital. I would see him in the hospital as I went back and forward, I would have a wee talk with him, he could not handle the Cage, he wasn’t coming back to the Cages, it was rough on the men. He had a nervous breakdown, I know that now, but at the time I did not know what was happening.</div>
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He went to hospital and I stayed with Jimmy, I got involved in a few escapes, digging tunnels and wire cuttings, one day I was coming back from a visit and I was told that my Father was being released in 1972. I had a lot of friends in Long Kesh, there were a lot of people in, 600 in at that time. Jimmy was moved to another Cage, I was on my own, but I was getting on ok, we marched and had training, trying to be a soldier, or at least that is what I thought. Time moved on 1973-74 I was still in, now there were 1400 men in, I meet a lot of them, then the numbers were down to 300, there were release plans on, a lot of excitement and lists of names would be read out by screws, we would gather and they might call 6 names and six got out.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gerry Cunningham and Gerry Fitzpatrick from Belfast</strong>, good men, started making poteen with me, my Father and Grandfather (Paddy Frank McKenna) had made poteen in Monaghan and Newry, we had many great nights drinking poteen in Long Kesh, we had an old record player on, or someone would sing. This was jail life and it was hard, I was young and I got on well with everyone, I made the poteen out of apples, bananas, plums, Gerry Cunningham made the worm, a rare looking worn, more bends than a dogs hind legs, we even smuggled out a wee bottle to our people outside.</div>
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In February <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1975</strong> they began releasing more names, it was said that the last of the 9<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> of August men were to be released, there were only a few of us left, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Art McAlinden</strong> and so forth, they called out my name, for 3 years and 8 months I had been interned, I was delighted to be out, my good friend began crying when I was getting out, he was young, I just left as quick as I could, Cage 8, I felt bad that he was on his own, but I had to go.</div>
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I returned to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">O’Neil Avenue in Newry</strong> there was a great welcome, everyone was behind us, I knew what I was going to do, I had a few drinks, a party, things were brave and good, all my friends had not reported back to the IRA and so I did not want to know them, Eamon Murphy had reported back to the IRA and so I spoke to him.</div>
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He said there was only one man to see in Newry, he had been on the run the same as myself Hitchy Hillen, a hard man, tuff man, I went up to Barcroft, he had heard of me, we meet in Mrs Connolly’s house, another famous house around Newry. I told Hitchy that I wanted action and he said no problem, but he had nothing, so I went back and got two guns, two browning high power weapons, 13 rounds, they were Belgium guns, good guns, British army corporals and captains were using them at that time. Hitchy and I went with the guns and we hit a ten man British Army foot patrol in Hill Street, it worked out alright, but Hitchy’s gun jammed, I got one shot into a Brit and he went down, his flack-jacket protected him, I had about 8 rounds left, I started shooting in the air or else the other soldiers would have come out after us. We got to the car and got away, the police were furious, we had frightened the life out of them, we had no hoods on us, we just wanted a bit of agro, we did not care, they did not expect to get hit in that area of town.</div>
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I was on the run as everyone knew who done it, I was made <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">OC in Newry and Hitchy </strong>was my right hand man and I ran Newry for the next year, the police and the army were going crazy to get us, we knew that they had someone who was setting us up but we kept shooting our way out. We had talked in prison, drinking poteen and so forth, jail is not human, I was not going back and the police and the army knew that.</div>
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We caught the boy who had set us up, he got away, and the police were not happy as they had no one to set us up, we could stay in houses in any estate in Newry even the old nationalist party and labour party would let us in when we were in trouble. Those were hairy times around Newry, we had regular shoot outs with the Brits, Hitchy had been in jail in the south and he was not going back either.</div>
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We had a few drinks in the Border Bar one evening, I was driving, we came down the Brownish, and we ran into a British checkpoint, I rammed them with the car, I got around the first Saracen, but the car crashed, I gave them a bogus name and I said I needed to go to the toilet. They let me go to the hedge to go to the toilet, I just went through the hedge, the Brits opened fire on me with a browning off the top of the Saracen, Hitchy and the others thought I was dead; the helicopters were up, I ran to the custom clearance post. I stayed in the field, they thought I was heading for the border, but I doubled back to a safe house in Newry. Hitchy and the people who were with him appeared in court charged with attempted murder, membership and so forth, so Hitchy was gone, and I had no-one, from 1975 in Newry Hitchy was the only man in Newry who would do anything, there were plenty in Newry drinking and talking, but they would not do anything, a few would help you out, but they would not get into the heavy agro.</div>
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I ended up joining a unit in<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> South Armagh</strong>, I was going to give up OC in Newry, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Peter Cleary</strong> was in my unit in south Armagh he is dead now, I enjoyed working with <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Peter Cleary</strong> and the lads. I had a girlfriend at that time, Marian McNeil, we were engaged, I was too wild to get married, she was a good girl and we were happy, her people were good people and we got on well.</div>
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Christmas passed and the sectarian trouble started in south Armagh, 10 Protestants were shot dead on their way home from work, I agreed with it, to bring the thing to a head, it would sort it out, in February the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10 Protestants were shot dead</strong>, in March I had nowhere to stay so I went back to my Father’s house in Edentubber , the man who owned the house (Watters) had been killed with three others when the bomb they were preparing went off accidentally, so the people in the area seen me and my Father carrying the line on for the IRA. My Father had died in the house in Edentubber in 1975 as a result of the torture he had been subjected to by the British.</div>
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That night I had no gun as I had sent the two guns into Newry that morning, so all I had was the sawn off shotgun beside the bed, I had a loaf of bread and pint of milk, but I had no money. At about 4am the door was kicked in and two fellas who were armed with browning high powered weapons with torches on top were standing over me, they said, where is the gun, I said, I have no gun. It took them two minutes to get in and I would have got them if I had a gun. When we went outside, there was another guy outside the window with a Sterling sub-machine gun with a double magazine. He would have got me if I had moved towards the door, I might have been better if he did kill me, it would have saved a lot of hassle over the next 15 years.</div>
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They took me out of the bed and searched me, they were going crazy for the gun, they knew I was crazy about guns, there was stuff in the house, the big guy with blonde hair, he was about 5-11, said, you have two choices come with us without hassle or trouble, or I will shoot you here and your death will be claimed by <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">UVF</strong> in retaliation for the 10 Protestants shot in south Armagh. I thought about my Mother and I was getting married, those are the two people who saved me, I did not want to go to Newry, but I done it for them.</div>
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I did not want to tell them anything. I said ok I will go with you, we walked down the fields and across the Flurry River, we jumped across the river, they kept the guns on me, the big fella said we will cut you down, any chance I miss you the man with the sterling will cut you down, half-a-mile across the border, he put his arm around my shoulder, he said I know what you are thinking, don’t do it, I don’t want to kill you. When we got to Killeen there were other <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">British Soldiers</strong> there, they were in uniform, the three who took me were not in uniform, the three got into uniform and changed their guns, a blue Volkswagen van came up the road, and they took me in the van, I had a smoke in the back of the van, the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SAS </strong>treated me ok. In Bessbroke soldiers and their wives were all coming in and looking at me, it was embarrassing to see all these people and top brass looking at me. Every two minutes the door would open and a guy with a row of medals would look in.</div>
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I was moved to Newry where RUC detectives Bradley and McCann were to interview me, two bastards, they were angry at what I had done around Newry and the border, the beatings started; I did not want to talk. They produced the file with the 1971 stuff, bombs and shootings. I did not care, I was reluctant and cool. At 10 O’Clock that night the Blonde soldier came in and put his arm around my neck and said, Sean I don’t want to kill you, if you don’t talk we will take you out and you will be found on the border, me and this fella will take you out and kill you and the UVF will claim it.</div>
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They wanted me for murder, but I was not going to sign for a murder I did not do. I was taken to Newcastle Court in <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">March 1976</strong> and back to Crumlin Road Jail, I meet Hitchy, it was bad in there, IRA bad boys running the show, and they were beating young fellas who had made statements, I did not agree with that, they are bloody animals. I had a name and no fear, and I let them know it, that was the way it was. Hitchy was sentenced to 25 years for the attempted murder on Hill Street, my case came up, I was fighting my case, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Judge Babbington</strong>, a police judge, a rotten bastard. I heard later that the blonde solider was Captain Niarac, he later shot Peter Cleary dead, Peter was a good man, but he was a tuff man, and he would not have went with them. Niarac also killed <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John Frances Green in Monaghan.</strong></div>
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The case was put back as the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SAS</strong> could not turn up as they had to come from England. All the SAS were in civilian clothes, I recognised the blonde solider, I don’t know if it was Niarac as I have never seen a picture of Niarac. I have heard all the things that Niarac is supposed to have done, I don’t think Niarac shot Peter Cleary, because when I was on the side of the road the blonde fella put a young solider on me and ‘Niarac’ told him that if I moved a finger he was to shoot me dead. All I know is that ‘Niarac’ for some reason did not want to kill me.</div>
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Judge Babbington was the top man, the SAS made fools of themselves, they lied through their teeth, no problem, Babbington, said he was not there to determine where I was lifted, he said I would have to go to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">European Court</strong> for that, State Prosecutor, told the court what I had been doing, that I had been in jail for a long time, and the problem they had getting me.</div>
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Judge Babbington asked for an adjournment, he was going to Corfu, he would take the papers with him and come back. When Babbington returned from his holidays, I was in the court on my own, the solicitor never even turned up, he said 25 years, it wrecked me, he looked out over his glasses and sneered, nobody turned up, a lonely minute.</div>
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I was moved to the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">H-Blocks, Ciaran Nugent</strong> was on the blanket, April 1977 I was sentenced, I went to H4 first, we were in our civilian clothes, stripped naked, I told the screws I was going on the blanket, we were put naked into a van and they drove us to the H-Block, we walked naked across the yard, they took all our particulars again, usual routine, into a cell.</div>
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I was in a cell on my own, big screw, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paddy Joe Kerr, a Catholic Prison officer</strong>, he came in and beat me, what’s your prison number, I refused, and there was an air of hostility, Catholic screws worse than Protestants, Paddy Joe Kerr went out of his way to prove they were not afraid of the Provos.</div>
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I was there a couple of weeks and then moved to H5 where I became OC as I had a lot of experience in jail. I was disillusioned with the jail experience, I knew I would be on the ultimate end if I stayed OC, I could get on the hunger strike when it came. PO was not too bad, but beatings went on, the doors would open, that was the way it was, sitting at 5 or 6 in the evening, we would shout keys, they would open the door and someone getting the life beaten out of them. I never got a beating as OC and I was OC for 4 years, maybe it was respect. Hard when you hear an 18 year old lad getting beaten naked in the cell, big men beating a young lad, all they could do was go on the ground in a ball while getting the life beaten out of them.</div>
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The PO was from Lurgan, a Christian, but boys under his control, sometimes with drink taken would do beatings. H5 I was OC, one of my closest friends would have been <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tom McFeeley</strong>, he was on the Staff (Adjacent) both of us had been in before, he was a tough man. I have meet thousands of men but McFeeley was miles out in front of everyone for toughness, the screws were afraid of him, they had respect for McFeeley, they beat him and he beat them, police and everyone.</div>
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A year after I joined the blanket, we were still locked in the cell 24 hours per day, never got out except to go to mass on Sunday morning. The boys would just talk at mass, however, some of the lads wanted to hear the mass, so we had to call order. It was hateful, but we had to keep order, when you are with a fellow 24 hours a day, toilet, no tv, radio, cigarettes, conversation runs out after a month, lads would beat each other, and get friendly again, that is the way it was. Another thing that happened on the blanket we would have concerts, I never liked singing but I would sing a song.</div>
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In 1978 there was no movement, 3 H-Blocks, 600 men, the Brits were going nowhere, we knew there was marches but we did not know what was going on, so we went on the dirty protest, they hate to see you grow a beard in prison they would beat the hell out of you. We would stop washing, and put the shit on the wall, the embarrassment walking up the landing with a poo in a pot, so we put it on the wall once we went on the dirty protest. The cells were stinking, we were stinking, it was inhuman, but we had no choice. It was a grotesque place, shit on the wall and urine on the floor, beyond description, that men could endure it for years was beyond comprehension.</div>
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We had a Visit every month, by 1979-80 we had not washed in 4 years, your Sister or Mother would visit you and you were stinking and yet they would still throw their arms around you, they still loved you, which was hard to believe, that they loved you when you did not love yourself, walking through shit and probably eating it because your hands were that dirty, lots of fighting and beatings, screws beating young lads, kicking young lads on the ground with their big boots.</div>
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The hunger strike came as we knew it would, we forced it, we had Cardinals and Bishops in but the Brits were not moving, we were beat out on the blanket, lads getting beating 3 and 4 times per day, the hunger strike was the final way. I did not want to live anymore after 4 years on the blanket, I wanted to die, I was one of the more experienced men there and when the time came to fight I could do that. I wanted to get something for the young lads, Brendan Hughes was OC on all the blocks and he said that, I was not going on the hunger strike</div>
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He did not pick my name on first count – I sent word to hold back H3 until he got a letter from me. I knew why I was not getting picked, I had been scalded when I was a child and had a bad scare and he thought I had been shot, and that I might not last long on hunger strike, but I told him what had happened and the word came back that I was on the hunger strike.</div>
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We knew the hunger strike would start, we were prepared to die. The 7 names were announced as there were 7 signatories on the 1916 Proclamation; we thought this might capture people’s imagination and stir emotions.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The group consisted of IRA members Brendan Hughes, Tommy McKearney, Raymond McCartney, Tom McFeeley, Leo Green, INLA member John Nixon and I</strong>.</div>
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I was in the cell with Tommy Kelly, Turf Lodge, great fella we got on well he eat his dinner, I walked up and down the cell and my dinner was sitting at the door, it went on, we did not eat at all, after about three weeks we were still in the cell, but they did not move us, we thought they would take us to hospital, governors came in and said we were refusing to eat prison food so we would lose remission, for every month we were on the blanket we were losing a month remission, 3rd week we were taken to H3 hospital wing. Ordinary prisoners looked on us as if we were contaminated, nobody would touch us, Provos that did not go on the blanket/dirty protest respected us, but they simply could not do it.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The first thing we done in the hospital wing was take a shower.</strong></div>
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I was on <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hunger strike for 53 days</strong>, Fr Murphy was giving me the last rites, that was the last I remember, I was lying in bed and I felt I was floating out of my body, this guy came in with a white beard, I was given electric shock, the next thing I remember, I was in a bed in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, the hunger strike was over. I woke up a couple of days later, a nurse sitting beside me, she asked me my name I could not remember my name, she told me John Lennon was dead, I was sad as I liked John Lennon, I was moved back to the blocks within a couple of days I was in a wheel chair, some thought the hunger strike should not have been called off and I agreed, some thought it should have been called off, there was a good deal of talk. We had been told that the NIO had offered concessions and that is why it was called off. Brendan Hughes had called off the hunger strike because he believed there was a deal.</div>
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McFeely and I said it should not have been called off, Brendan Hughes had been talking to <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">NIO Officials </strong>and he believed they could work from there. I was in hospital; I was there on my own, watching TV and looking at books. My eyes were really bad, I needed a good light and I could read one line at a time, I was getting vitamin injections, they were very sore, every morning I would get the injections. The injections would help sort my eyes out; eventually I was able to get out of the wheelchair.</div>
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I was in bed one day and the doctor came in to see me, grey hair, he told me that I had effectively died and they used electric shock to bring my heart back, he said I had a near death experience. I was happy enough, good to be alive, I suppose. Rumours of a second hunger strike began to do the rounds; I told <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bobby Sands</strong> that if there was to be a second hunger strike I wanted to be on it. Bobby said he did not want me to die, he knew that I would not last long on a second hunger strike, but I would rather have died than send some of the other lads to their death. That evening they sent me back to the H-Blocks because I wanted to go on the second hunger strike, everyone was hunger strike crazy. Brendan Hughes was right; it was not worth one man’s life.</div>
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According to Brendan the NIO had passed the<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> British concessions</strong> to the Long Kesh Governors and the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">POA refused</strong> to implement the concessions and that is why the second hunger strike began. The POA caused or at least created the conditions for the second hunger strike.</div>
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The 7 of us who had been on the first<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> hunger strike wrote and signed a letter and sent it to the IRA’s Belfast Brigade </strong>telling them that we did not support a second hunger strike as it was tantamount to suicide, nobody acknowledged our letter, and so we had no choice but to offer our support to the lads going on the second hunger strike.</div>
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It was a horrible time, I knew exactly what Bobby was going through, I knew the pains, the aches, the doubts, I wished Brendan Hughes had allowed me to die; I did not want our men going through this horrible death.</div>
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We were delighted when Bobby was elected as <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone</strong>, we thought it might save him, history would have told us different. The blocks were bad, death hung in the air, my close friend <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Raymond McCreesh </strong>died, the Irish Commission for Peace and Justice were told that 4.5 demands were on offer from the British, but the leadership ignored this and another 6 men died without good cause, they could have been saved.</div>
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The election of Bobby Sands raised hopes that a settlement could be negotiated, but Margaret Thatcher stood firm in refusing to give concessions to the hunger strikers. She stated “We are not prepared to consider special category status for certain groups of people serving sentences for crime. Crime is crime is crime, it is not political”. The world’s media descended on Belfast, and several intermediaries visited Sands in an attempt to negotiate an end to the hunger strike, including Síle de Valera, Granddaughter of Éamon de Valera, Pope John Paul II’s personal envoy John Magee, and European Commission of Human Rights officials. With Sands close to death, the British Government’s position remained unchanged, with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Humphrey Atkins stating “If Mr. Sands persisted in his wish to commit suicide that was his choice. The Government would not force medical treatment upon him”. Bobby Sands died on the 5th Day of May 1981 after 66 Days on Hunger Strike.</div>
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Then the hunger strike was called off, the British had given us nothing, not an inch, it was Father Faul from Dungannon who secured an end to the hunger strike, if he had not ended the hunger strike another 20 men would have died and we would still have got nothing.</div>
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I was not happy with a good deal that went on behind the scenes, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bik McFarland</strong> on the orders of the Belfast Brigade staff had forced the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hunger strikers to sign affidavits</strong> in front of solicitors so that when they fell into a coma their parents or families could not take them off the hunger strike, I felt this was wrong, that is not what republicanism is about, it is not what I am about, totally out of order, wrong.</div>
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I was in <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">H-Block 4 (H4)</strong> the Belfast Brigade leadership and the leadership inside the Kesh had got carried away with the propaganda, they never had propaganda like it. It was called off and we had nothing, we had our own clothes and we shaved, that was it, nothing and ten men dead.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sean McKenna Autobiography Ends…</strong></div>
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Peadar Whelan, who remains within the ranks of Sinn Fein in 2013 reflects the feelings of those men who had lived through the hunger strike period in Long Kesh.</div>
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“My resentment…,” writes Peadar Whelan recalling the end of the second hunger strike in ‘Nor Meekly Serve My Tim’’, “was as great as my relief.”</div>
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Peadar mirrors the response of many Republican prisoners at that time. “Despite my relief that no one else would die I still felt gutted because ten men had died and we had not won our demands,’” writes Peadar. “My morale was never as low.” Peadar was released on licence from a life sentence in 1992 and would become northern Editor of An Phoblacht.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-67423731182021262016-12-20T11:52:00.002-08:002016-12-20T11:52:32.298-08:00Barry Petticrew, Bomb Factory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Barry Petticrew, 45, was
caught on a farm with enough explosives to build the largest bomb ever seen in
the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A mechanic originally from
the Irish Republic has been jailed for 11 years by a Northern Ireland court for
running a bomb factory that contained enough explosives to build what could
have been one of the biggest bombs ever used by terror groups in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiic5vqFUhN-tCABAi3CSSr0s595W8t5ddf6CHKkKaWD9JyajuUHzPDmAw8889PCHLm-8im5lgCbTlpe58ZSEntUV-hyg9GN9XfMFsx-Nb6IRe7yTivzfXRrlMIgEOD8C4b3sWICBTEg/s1600/barry-petticrew-bomb-factory-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiic5vqFUhN-tCABAi3CSSr0s595W8t5ddf6CHKkKaWD9JyajuUHzPDmAw8889PCHLm-8im5lgCbTlpe58ZSEntUV-hyg9GN9XfMFsx-Nb6IRe7yTivzfXRrlMIgEOD8C4b3sWICBTEg/s320/barry-petticrew-bomb-factory-2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Barry Petticrew was caught
on a rural farm in County Fermanagh that had been transformed into a workshop
building bombs. Petticrew was one of the Guard of Honour at the funeral of <a href="http://www.theirishobserver.com/">Seamus McKenna</a> in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Antrim crown court was told
that Petticrew had been under surveillance by the Police Service of Northern
Ireland (PSNI) at the farm near Kinawley, close to the border with the Irish
Republic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The surveillance operation
was part of a security drive on October 2014 against dissident Irish republican
activity in the county, the court heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Petticrew was said to have
tried to run across fields in the direction of the border when armed police
raided the farm. When captured, he told PSNI officers: “I’m not involved in
terrorism. This house belongs to a friend of mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The PSNI found high-grade
explosives, pipes, timer units and ammunition at the property.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The court heard there were
enough explosives to build the largest bomb ever seen in Northern Ireland
before or after the Troubles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Advertisement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In sentencing the
45-year-old, from Swanlinbar in County Cavan, on Tuesday, Judge Gordon Kerr QC
pointed out that Petticrew had allowed himself to be associated with dissident
republicans five years after he had been convicted of a terrorism-related
offence at the Republic’s non-jury special criminal court in Dublin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">DI Davy Lowans from PSNI
said: “This haul contained many of the components used by a terrorist group,
everything from time power units and fertiliser to a coffee grinder, ammunition
and forensic suits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We believe this was for use
by dissident terrorists in Fermanagh and other parts of Northern Ireland. The
quantities and range of items recovered would have enabled a number of
explosive devices to be constructed. The seizure will have an impact on the
terrorists’ capabilities and undoubtedly has saved lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-6834902818291136402016-05-24T10:51:00.002-07:002016-05-24T10:51:50.925-07:00Gareth Hutch Shot Dead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Gareth Hutch Shot Dead</b></h2>
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The 35-year-old victim of today’s gangland murder has been
named locally as Gareth Hutch, a nephew of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscGG7GTAteU1lcHCoSUi2yksDet5pPplo9TB9DyaijvQpB2XBS1Ji-NPEEiCw8sXPQQMwlLGS7QarCrnOR1-Wf8Qwl2hvKC0t9ZuWNrqEbdPWdSb68e8YyJDQ6d6xaNBD_LELzfLXzg/s1600/Gareth-Hutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscGG7GTAteU1lcHCoSUi2yksDet5pPplo9TB9DyaijvQpB2XBS1Ji-NPEEiCw8sXPQQMwlLGS7QarCrnOR1-Wf8Qwl2hvKC0t9ZuWNrqEbdPWdSb68e8YyJDQ6d6xaNBD_LELzfLXzg/s320/Gareth-Hutch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Gareth Hutch was previously cleared of attempted robbery
charges related to an incident when criminal Gareth Molloy (27) was shot dead
by a member of the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) during a raid by a gang
on a security van delivering cash to a supermarket in Lucan in May 2009.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The raiders were holding a sawn-off shotgun at a cash van
worker’s head and demanding cash when gardai struck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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That busted cash-in-transit gang who have close links to the
Hutch mob included convicted killer Derek ‘Del Boy’ Hutch (31) who was later
given five years in jail for co-ordinating the botched cash van raid.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another accused, Keith Murtagh (32) of Lower Sheriff Street,
was jailed for eight years in July 2010. He was injured during the shootout
with gardai in Lucan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Murtagh has since been released and has survived two
assassination attempts with the cartel including on Saturday morning in the
Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot and last month in Sheriff Street when
innocent victim Martin O’ Rourke (24) was shot in a case of mistaken identity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today Gareth Hutch was gunned down as he sat in a car
outside the Avondale House Flats on North Cumberland Street in Dublin’s north
inner city this morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The latest victim had been living at the Avondale House
flats and the address was previously searched by gardaí as part of the
investigation into the Regency Hotel shooting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The victim was recently issued with a Garda Information
Message warning him that his life was under threat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Gardaí are investigating if a second man, also a relative of
the Hutch family, was also injured in the attack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The gunmen are reported to have fled the scene on foot after
their getaway vehicle failed to start. They got into another vehicle nearby.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the eighth murder linked to the Hutch - Kinahan
feud. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Witnesses described two gunmen leaving the scene, and that
"three to six shots" were fired.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The scene is sealed off and a technical examination of the
area is expected to take place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area of North
Cumberland Street or may have information, to contact the Gardaí at Mountjoy
Garda Station on 01 666 8600, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any
Garda Station.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-15186149629719257372016-05-22T11:10:00.001-07:002016-05-22T11:10:21.051-07:00Johnathan Dowdall Arrested, Sinn Fein<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2>
Sinn Fein Councillor Arrested</h2>
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Sinn Fein Councillor Jonathan Dowdall was arrested as he tried to board a flight to Dubai earlier this week by officers investigating the murder of David Byrne. His home on Navan Road Dublin had been raided as Gardai searched for any evidence to link Dowdall with the attack on The Regency Hotel that left David Byrne dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblcT4Gf9NlJq_0kNbo4YbiSz2Mal4jMQcwOMogjZ5_Gjfve8tMKKyVNXEMPIKzToSUlLh44TXIroOE2pBPDAFnNyVjgX-1vHBl-_1NQIim_MAbtNSRIB6tv0ooFFXezCsixy1mORRgw/s1600/Johnathan-Dowdall-Sinn-Fein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblcT4Gf9NlJq_0kNbo4YbiSz2Mal4jMQcwOMogjZ5_Gjfve8tMKKyVNXEMPIKzToSUlLh44TXIroOE2pBPDAFnNyVjgX-1vHBl-_1NQIim_MAbtNSRIB6tv0ooFFXezCsixy1mORRgw/s320/Johnathan-Dowdall-Sinn-Fein.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Mary Lou McDonald, Gerry Adams TD, Johnathan Dowdall</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Dowdall is closely linked to senior members of Sinn Fein and his arrest will bring embarrassment to the already embattled Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is understood that Dowdall, who had just been served a Garda Information Message (GIM) that his life was under threat, had been under surveillance for months.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pSaXhhR6aNMR2voBgSroyISke_tSKgOIRlhVEMZdCo02i_15gQQl63WzOkeNsdoJLQMEc72KK3XqFAJAQvHbadd7Zo4gVK7NyFVrZvHo8INt4EECEBOXEIz4uSm2OQk_ndrJXg4lDQ/s1600/Johnathan-Dowdall-House-Navan-Road-Dublin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pSaXhhR6aNMR2voBgSroyISke_tSKgOIRlhVEMZdCo02i_15gQQl63WzOkeNsdoJLQMEc72KK3XqFAJAQvHbadd7Zo4gVK7NyFVrZvHo8INt4EECEBOXEIz4uSm2OQk_ndrJXg4lDQ/s320/Johnathan-Dowdall-House-Navan-Road-Dublin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Johnathan Dowdall's House and BMW on The Navan Road Dublin</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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He is being quizzed about a weapons warehouse in north county Dublin where it is understood the guns used in the Regency Hotel attack were stored.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is also being questioned about driving Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch around the country before the weapons were seized in Slane, in Co. Meath, last March.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Irish Observer has learned that Dowdall quickly came to the attention of Gardai following The Regency murder as he was known to have the logistical network needed to support the Regency attack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Johnathan Dowdall Arrested, Sinn Fein, Regency Hotel Attack, Hutch Gang</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-46603574332568839782016-05-19T05:01:00.002-07:002016-05-19T05:01:50.826-07:00Patrick Hutch Charged with David Byrne Murder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Patrick Hutch Charged David Byrne Murder</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">A 24-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in February.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRk8PKDNx3aW4vLZKuoIZo_3DDnvJQ0yc8N1pnywk14ksgybA42pTMNG65dwQSyWMqXJAmidDKrzZnUZuvuW4726YZSMtOd8sPQTXt7L9EOERtwUM6C-mvlZjSyzLChPclncfaGmpDw/s1600/Continuity-IRA-Gun-Attack-Dublin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRk8PKDNx3aW4vLZKuoIZo_3DDnvJQ0yc8N1pnywk14ksgybA42pTMNG65dwQSyWMqXJAmidDKrzZnUZuvuW4726YZSMtOd8sPQTXt7L9EOERtwUM6C-mvlZjSyzLChPclncfaGmpDw/s320/Continuity-IRA-Gun-Attack-Dublin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Patrick Hutch, from Champions Avenue in Dublin 1, was remanded in custody to appear again in court next week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">David Byrne, 33, from Raleigh Square in Crumlin, was shot dead at the Regency Hotel on 6 February as part of an ongoing feud between two criminal gangs, which has resulted in the deaths of six men.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M9Q1bb8kCmxa7UT-E2Wy_kP8bWAJmHIXHNiO25KBsZN9NvAmOJhY9czkwoJzYaHzVTyTAnL6M94c57nAjSH94P7kr7oLPnwxNlLLBH_5EZKC8LqCVFMXVuBWdKQGJfGLZ994Db9FwQ/s1600/Regency-shooting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M9Q1bb8kCmxa7UT-E2Wy_kP8bWAJmHIXHNiO25KBsZN9NvAmOJhY9czkwoJzYaHzVTyTAnL6M94c57nAjSH94P7kr7oLPnwxNlLLBH_5EZKC8LqCVFMXVuBWdKQGJfGLZ994Db9FwQ/s320/Regency-shooting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Patrick Hutch is the brother of the first victim of the feud, Gary Hutch, who was shot dead in Spain last September.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL8Y-GZX9XO5Op0Y4g6O0cjZWlau0hySmg_LAt4ty5EZs8cTHNmq2AYda2G1dWnUyMW1tASlcZ3fDd6Xlz_XiQggj2pJE2siFQXyLyNOjbCWTtEj8y3hS-yCDFyYFrrImthrM_l7gHw/s1600/Patrick-Hutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL8Y-GZX9XO5Op0Y4g6O0cjZWlau0hySmg_LAt4ty5EZs8cTHNmq2AYda2G1dWnUyMW1tASlcZ3fDd6Xlz_XiQggj2pJE2siFQXyLyNOjbCWTtEj8y3hS-yCDFyYFrrImthrM_l7gHw/s320/Patrick-Hutch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Armed gardaí escorted Patrick Hutch from Ballymun Garda Station, where he has been questioned for the past five days, to the Courts of Criminal Justice for a special sitting of the Dublin District Court this evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Detective Sergeant Michael Mulligan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">He told the court he arrested Patrick Hutch at 5.40pm and when he was charged with the murder of David Byrne, he made no reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">There was no application for bail.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Judge Hugh O'Donnell granted him free legal aid and remanded Mr Hutch in custody to appear again in Clover Hill District Court on 25 May.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-74051703117903306792016-05-18T11:15:00.000-07:002016-05-18T11:15:30.769-07:00Weapons Find Larne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Weapons Find Larne</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ex-Assistant Chief Constable
Alan McQuillan has said the munitions found buried at Capanagh Wood near Larne are a “very
rare” find and he could not recall seeing more than one or two of the
anti-personnel mines in his entire police career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcL7DJdj6VJQIpk05FAGzi72AbFkx7wJx7DUJeRvMGe6iDS5n6d2hVx7queDNHHBmJXTjy3CyUH7g7zmCOUjwx3depzU2RoqV5yAMyzDk7GnlgaLPwZLGL4E1Uo-rsXbmSQNZzuK58A/s1600/Bomb-Find-Larne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcL7DJdj6VJQIpk05FAGzi72AbFkx7wJx7DUJeRvMGe6iDS5n6d2hVx7queDNHHBmJXTjy3CyUH7g7zmCOUjwx3depzU2RoqV5yAMyzDk7GnlgaLPwZLGL4E1Uo-rsXbmSQNZzuK58A/s320/Bomb-Find-Larne.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“They are designed that when
they go off they fire ball bearings at extremely high speed and they’ll kill
anyone within a radius of 100m, so these are horrific weapons and if you are
deploying those in an urban environment, the risk not only to police officers
but to the public is terrible,” he commented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s really bad to see that
type of weapon here. It’s designed to take out large swathes of troops so it’s
a really deadly weapon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Also stashed in the barrels
buried in the ground was an </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Armour</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">-piercing rocket; several pipe bombs, quantities of explosives, ammunition and associated component parts to
construct a substantial number of explosive devices.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Police believe dissident
republicans are behind the weapons stash and are investigating a link to a
previous find of munitions at Carnfunnock Country Park in March.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The recovery of weapons is no
doubt a setback for the dissidents but the former senior officer believes there
could be more hides with ready to deploy devices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The sheer scale of it which
indicates they have a substantial supply of weapons. Quite clearly there are
still some people who are determined to continue on this campaign,” Mr
McQuillan continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I doubt it’s a one off, I’m
sure they’ve got other hides elsewhere. I can’t believe that is all the stock,
I can’t believe they just got two Claymores in, they probably have other
devices in stock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The key issue is the
intelligence, for the police and security services is to keep watching and keep
on top of everything and keep doing everything they can to arrest those
responsible and bring them before the courts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking outside Stormont
Castle, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness welcomed the arms seizure and
called on the public to do their part to face down the threat from dissidents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I want to pay tribute both
the Garda Síochána and the PSNI for the way in which over recent times they
have thwarted the activities of those whose design is to plunge our society, our
community, this island back to the past,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“That isn’t going to happen
and I think that anytime whenever arms of the nature that have been recovered
in the forest in Antrim over recent days, I am very pleased and delighted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I do think that given that
the police have said the public were responsible for reporting this to the
police, it does place a huge responsibility on the people who don’t want their
children or their grandchildren to be plunged into the past to cooperate with
police on both sides of the borders to ensure that those who are still
dedicated to the destruction of the peace process don’t succeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The senior Sinn Féin (MI6 Agent)
politician added that following the crisis at Stormont last year when a murder
was linked to the supposedly-defunct Provisional IRA, it was important that
politicians stand together against violence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We have to stand together as
politicians in support of our community, the police services north and south to
ensure that these people are not successful,” he concluded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Weapons Find Larne, Dissident
Republicans, The IRA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-864056499372615362016-05-05T09:41:00.001-07:002016-05-05T09:43:59.243-07:00Michael Barr Funeral Strabane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Michael Barr Funeral Strabane</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fourteen people have been arrested at the Co Tyrone funeral
of a dissident republican man who was shot dead in a Dublin city pub last
month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Tm1c1y3O9c80DwYktVoTfEQ5HU-SJH1SucC-9RSFJFaWwl5sXBaXYyaV4X7cVkB4ezX4-pJ8UvjSAkCvkcUZpjN1WG7-UY9SQ-9ly1I3PoH-x9a3i3juoWbo1tgxjf3HEownFJX55Q/s1600/Continuity-IRA-Gun-Attack-Dublin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Tm1c1y3O9c80DwYktVoTfEQ5HU-SJH1SucC-9RSFJFaWwl5sXBaXYyaV4X7cVkB4ezX4-pJ8UvjSAkCvkcUZpjN1WG7-UY9SQ-9ly1I3PoH-x9a3i3juoWbo1tgxjf3HEownFJX55Q/s320/Continuity-IRA-Gun-Attack-Dublin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The men were arrested by the PSNI under the terrorism act
and are being questioned about suspected membership of an illegal organisation,
the IRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The funeral of Michael Barr, a 36-year-old father of five
and a native of Strabane, has heard his death was “deliberate and evil.” He was
shot dead in the Sunset House Bar on April 25th last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was a heavy security presence as more than 500
mourners attended Mr Barr’s funeral in Strabane in Co Tyrone. A known dissident
republican, his death is believed to be linked to the Hutch/Kinihan crime feud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His funeral cortege was accompanied by full republican
military trappings as it was brought to St Mary’s Church in Melmount. A
tri-colour as well as black gloves and a black beret rested on top of his
coffin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Members of Sigerson’s GAA Club from Strabane, a club which
the late Mr Barr had played with, formed a guard of honour into the church.
Another guard of honour was formed by another republican group wearing white
shirts and black ties. Gardaí and the PSNI on both sides of the border at
Lifford and Strabane stopped motorists and asked for identification while a
PSNI helicopter circled overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Among the leading mourners were Mr Barr’s mother and
father, Martina and Colly as well as his partner Jade and the couple’s five
children Tiarnan, Killian, Caitlín and his grandmother Theresa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Parish priest Fr Michael Doherty sent a message of support
to communities in Dublin living in fear of gangland crime. He said the
community of Strabane was behind those facing the continuing violence on the
streets of the capital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Addressing mourners inside the church, Fr Doherty said he
had known Mr Barr when he was a pupil at St Coleman’s High School where he
excelled at both Gaelic football and hurling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He said Strabane had known many people who had died before
their time through accidents and suicide. But he said it had been a long time
since someone from the community had died in such circumstances as Mr Barr and
described his death as “deliberate and evil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He said himself and the wider community in Melmount wanted
to show their support for the communities in Dublin which were now living in
fear of organised crime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He said he wanted to echo the Archbishop of Dublin,
Diarmuid Martin’s call for the chain of hate and evil to be broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Among the gifts brought up to the altar during the
offertory was a Gaelic football and a Sigersons GAA jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the funeral mass, Mr Barr’s remains were carried the
short distance across the road to Melmount Cemetery for burial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Members of those wearing military regalia saluted the
coffin as Mr Barr’s remains were laid to rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229239777811158539.post-38923656836878309442016-03-29T03:49:00.000-07:002016-03-29T03:49:09.054-07:00Michael McKevitt Released, Real IRA, Omagh Bomb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Michael McKevitt Released</h2>
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Michael McKevitt (65) has spent the past number of weeks on
temporary release at his home in Blackrock, Co Louth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBjY_D5OUrpbka7Jmy-vmTgqUuN_W-4ZdlfjhGXcgrGYAHqKEEjPlfnO1_-ZxZrxs3M0FwK9LqZd2YQf80BHXC14aDUqJfsB63ou8z0_wLzcfSjd44ZmctoHEd1nW9Q_wA8OL77ieIQ/s1600/Michael-Mc-kevitt-Released-2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBjY_D5OUrpbka7Jmy-vmTgqUuN_W-4ZdlfjhGXcgrGYAHqKEEjPlfnO1_-ZxZrxs3M0FwK9LqZd2YQf80BHXC14aDUqJfsB63ou8z0_wLzcfSjd44ZmctoHEd1nW9Q_wA8OL77ieIQ/s320/Michael-Mc-kevitt-Released-2016.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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However, he has now been formally released after his
sentence expired on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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McKevitt was released from Portlaoise Prison where he served
his sentence for directing terrorism and was also convicted of membership of an
illegal organisation after being convicted in the Special Criminal Court in
August 2003.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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McKevitt, who has cancer, was one of four men found liable
for the Omagh bombing in a civil action at Belfast High Court taken by
relatives of the dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Real IRA bomb killed 29 people and unborn twins on
August 15, 1998. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a statement to the media, McKevitt denied having anything
to do the atrocity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“I had no involvement in the bombing whatsoever. I was
stitched-up from the outset,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Within days of the bombing, I said that I had no hand, act
or part in the bombing and that remains my position.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He added that the British presence in Ireland is
“illegitimate”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michael McKevitt Released, Real IRA, Omagh Bomb<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935