News about the Irish & Irish American culture, music, news, sports. This is hosted by the Irish Aires radio show on KPFT-FM 90.1 in Houston, Texas (a Pacifica community radio station)

October 17, 2004

News 10/17/04 - Brits Still Fear Popish Plot

News About Ireland & The Irish

LT 10/17/04 The British Still Fear A Popish Plot
UT 10/17/04 Ahern: GFA Principles Must Stay
SL 10/17/04 Cheers For Accused Loyalist Condemned
SL 10/17/04 Loyalist's Teen Lover Dies Of Cocaine Overdose
SL 10/17/04 Flute Me! – The Sash Is Not Sectarian
SL 10/17/04 A Barred Man
SL 10/17/04 Jailer May Not Be Called To Wright Inquiry
SL 10/17/04 Army Montages Used To Target Border Provos
SL 10/17/04 Hotels Under Terror Threat From Dissidents
SL 10/17/04 DUP: 'Shame On You Orde'
SL 10/17/04 Dail M For MI5!
SL 10/17/04 Sinn Fein Accused Of Targeting Dissident
SL 10/17/04 Hitman's £10k For McAlorum Murder
SL 10/17/04 FRU Must Be Joking!
SL 10/17/04 No Clear Run For Daphne Trimble
SL 10/17/04 Old Boy Neeson Helps Celebrations

********************

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,482-1314834,00.html

The British Still Fear A Popish Plot

Cristina Odone

If Tony Blair confessed to Methodism no one would care, but
Catholicism is different

A LIAR, a poodle, a cynic and a lightweight — Tony Blair has been
accused of many things. Now he faces a new charge: he is a
Catholic.

In British politics, this is a serious allegation. Displays of
religiosity make Britons feel squeamish, but had the Prime
Minister converted to Methodism no one would have minded. Had he
been spotted in a Baptist church, speculation would not be
frenzied. Roman Catholicism, however, gets Middle England more
worried than any other religion (outstripping Islam, a faith that
it can patronise as just needing a few hundred years to catch up
with our wonderful Western mindset).

This unease rests on the public view of the Church of Rome as
foreign and authoritarian. With its confession, ceremony, daily
Mass, Church Latin mumbled by Irish and Italian immigrants, the
Catholic Church strikes Britons as not only theatrical, but also
distinctly “other”. Since Henry VIII forced conversion upon his
subjects, “proper”, ie, Protestant, Britons have suspected
Catholics of being only half-hearted citizens. Their first
allegiance is to Rome, not to home. They are regarded as the heirs
of plotters from Guy Fawkes to Mary Queen of Scots.

The rigidity of the Church’s moral positions (on abortion, stem-
cell research, euthanasia, contraception), especially when
contrasted with the mild-mannered attitude of the Established
Church, raises suspicions of totalitarianism in a society that
considers democracy the one true way. Diktats from the Vatican may
be ignored by many modern Catholics (I remember one Dominican
telling me that he had not heard anyone confessing to practising
birth control in more than 20 years — not because parishioners had
stopped using contraception but because they no longer regarded it
as a sin); but that they should be issued at all sends shivers of
horror down the British spine.

For the chattering classes that are Mr Blair’s natural
constituency, these reservations are even more serious. From their
liberal, secular perspective the Catholic Church is superstitious
and reactionary, deserving the same opprobrium as, say, Israel.

This British distaste for Catholicism explains why the Prime
Minister is so eager to stifle talk of his “going to Rome”.
Francis Beckett, whose book The Blairs and Their Court (co-written
with David Hencke) sparked the latest bout of speculation about Mr
Blair’s conversion, claims that a Catholic Blair would have
presented a huge political liability. Not only would a popish
prime minister prove unacceptable to Unionists in Northern
Ireland, and compromise the Good Friday agreement; but, as
Alastair Campbell repeatedly reminded him, a devout prime minister
would not go down well with the electorate. A blood-soaked
Reformation and a civil war fought along sectarian divisions
explain British wariness of religious conviction among its
politicians. Indeed, Mr Blair’s interest in religion (of any
stripe) was, in Mr Campbell’s eyes, a PR disaster. Europe’s most
secular nation believes that what is Caesar’s should be kept free
of what is God’s. It would be unthinkable for a prime minister to
invoke the Almighty in his speeches, as George Bush does; or for a
party that includes “Christian” in its label to become a serious
contender for government, as the European Christian Democrat
parties are.

Yet for Mr Blair, Catholicism clearly holds great appeal. Unlike
the divided, trendy and wishy-washy Anglican Church, the Catholic
Church offers an abundance of mystery and tradition wrapped around
undiluted certainty — which a prime minister who champions lone
and unpopular causes must appreciate. (Though Pope John Paul II
roundly condemned Mr Bush and Mr Blair for the war in Iraq.) It
also has, for 500 years, portrayed itself as a persecuted group.
This history of oppression allows Catholic Britons to cast
themselves as anti-Establishment and excluded — a perfect
catchment area for the Labour Party. It also allows Catholic
priests to see themselves as the voice of the vulnerable, the
outcast and the needy.

In working-class parishes in London, Liverpool, Glasgow and
Belfast, priests mount their pulpits as leaders of a wronged tribe
rather than shepherds of a faithful flock. To this day, their
sermons weave theology with political propaganda, calling on
parishioners to vote against pro-choice politicians (as Cardinal
Thomas Winning did in Scotland) or for the party that does most to
help the inner-city poor.

Such clerical campaigning has kept alive fears of the Catholic
Church influencing the State — or at least trying hard to. It was
the fear that Richard Nixon’s Republican allies tried to whip up
in the 1960 presidential election, forcing John F. Kennedy, the
Catholic Democratic candidate, to issue a denial: “I believe”, he
told a conference of Southern Baptist leaders in September 1960,
“in an America where the separation of Church and State is
absolute — where no Catholic prelate would tell the President
(should he be a Catholic) how to act.”

Kennedy went on to say that no man should be “denied public office
merely because his religion differs from the President who might
appoint him or the people who might elect him”. His ringing appeal
to Americans to drop their prejudice against Catholics was
successful. One wonders if the same would have been true in
Britain now, as then. “We don’t do God,” Mr Campbell famously told
a journalist prying into Mr Blair's faith. At least not if it is a
Catholic one.

The author is deputy editor of the New Statesman and former editor
of The Catholic Herald

********************

http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=51729&pt=n

Ahern: GFA Principles Must Stay

Some changes may be made to the Good Friday Agreement to help
unionists but the pact's core principles must be protected, Irish
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said today.

By:Press Association

At the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown Cemetery, Co
Kildare, Mr Ahern also said the time for talking was over and
people wanted results.

"We have been clear and consistent that the fundamentals of the
Good Friday Agreement cannot be renegotiated.

"That is not to suggest that some changes in the operation of the
Agreement cannot be accommodated.

But he insisted: "That accommodation cannot and will not be made
at the expense of its fundamental principles and protections."

When asked by reporters afterwards if he believed the Democratic
Unionist Party was prepared to share power with Sinn Fein, he
replied: "I think they are."

He added that public and private talks with the DUP between
himself and Irish foreign affairs minister Dermot Ahern "would
lead us both to believe that is the case."

Earlier, Mr Ahern sent out a clear message to the IRA and Sinn
Fein that there was "no place in modern Ireland for
paramilitarism".

"Democracy and private armies do not mix. Many of those who were
involved in paramilitary activity now accept the time has come to
draw a line under the conflict.

Mr Ahern said that the coming weeks presented a window of
opportunity that must not be lost.

"Otherwise we risk having restoration of the institutions deferred
for some considerable time," he said.

"We have talked about the outstanding issues to the point of
exhaustion and frustration.

"People now want outcomes. Everyone, on all sides knows what they
must do.

"We must now successfully bring all our efforts to a conclusion."

Earlier, Mr Ahern laid a wreath on behalf of the Fianna Fail party
at the grave of Theobald Wolfe Tone, known as the Father of Irish
Republicanism.

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573027

Cheers For Accused Loyalist Condemned

By Ciaran McGuigan
17 October 2004

THE dad of a UVF murder-victim last night slammed loyalist thugs,
who turned up in court to cheer on three men sent for trial for
the attempted murder of a Protestant doorman.

The public gallery of Belfast Magistrate's Court was filled with
supporters of alleged UVF godfather, Mark Haddock, when he
appeared for a preliminary inquiry hearing.

There were similar scenes last year, when Haddock, the alleged CO
of the UVF in Mount Vernon, first appeared in court charged with
the attempted murder of Trevor Gowdy, in December, 2002.

Both hearings took place amid heavy security, at Laganside
Courthouse.

Raymond McCord, whose son Raymond, jnr was battered to death by
the UVF on Remembrance Day, 1997, described the scenes as
"disgusting".

"How can these people cheer someone who has been charged with the
attempted murder of a young Protestant? What do these people see
to cheer in what happened to Trevor Gowdy?

"If there had been republicans charged with a similar crime, and
they had supporters taking over a court and behaving like that,
there would be unionist politicians up in arms over it.

"But we hear nothing about this sickening and disgusting
behaviour.

"It was as if these people were taking some kind of joy out of a
man being beaten almost to death."

David Hugh Miller (32), from York Park, in north Belfast, Mark
Haddock (35), and Darren Moore (34), both from Mount Vernon Park,
were all sent for trial at the hearing, last week.

Each is accused of attempted murder, false imprisonment and
criminal damage.

The charges relate to an attack on Mr Gowdy, at Monkstown, in
December, 2001, when the doorman was set upon by a gang and beaten
with hatchets.

Mr Gowdy survived the vicious attack and is now set to give
evidence against the accused.

Both he and his partner have been in a witness protection
programme, since Mr Gowdy gave statements to cops about the
attack.

cmcguigan @belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573025

Loyalist's Teen Lover Dies Of Cocaine Overdose

By Ciaran McGuigan
17 October 2004

THE teenage girlfriend of a top loyalist drugs dealer has died
following a massive cocaine overdose.

Tragic Denise Larkin (17), died in hospital, last weekend,
following a massive stroke brought on by her cocaine habit.

The popular west Belfast teenager had been admitted to hospital,
after an earlier cocaine-induced stroke had left her paralysed
down the right side.

Her devastated relatives were last night consoling each other, at
the family's Ballygomartin Road home.

And fears were last night growing that her death could spark a
shooting war, between rival loyalist terror gangs.

Rival loyalist paramilitaries are now pointing the finger at each
other, accusing one another of supplying the teen with the lethal
dose of drugs.

Her boyfriend, Lawrence 'Duffer' Kincaid is himself a convicted
drug dealer, who served a lengthy jail term for supplying class A
drugs.

Sources close to Kincaid deny that he had anything to do with the
teenager's death.

The LVF are accusing UDA men from the Woodvale area of selling the
dead teenager drugs.

And their claims are backed up by sources within the UDA.

It is understood that one UDA dealer, who operates out of a
drinking club used by alleged UDA Special Branch informer, Jim
Spence, has gone to ground, fearing he could be targeted.

And coke pushers, including convicted rapist, Charlie Calderwood,
who sell cocaine and ecstasy from a Shankill Road drinking club,
could also be targeted by the LVF.

Said one loyalist source: "The wee girl was getting her gear from
people in two clubs in the area.

"And now the boys supplying the cocaine to the clubs are worried.

"One has fled because he is worried that he'll be targeted, and
given no protection from his own.

"The LVF are furious and they are looking for him.

"And the top UDA men will let him hang, because they want to be
seen to be doing something about drugs now that a young girl has
died.

"This is not finished by any means."

The dead teenager's family were last night too frightened to talk,
when Sunday Life called at their west Belfast home.

Pals of the family claim they have received threatening phone
calls, warning them not talk about the teenager's death.

Said one pal: "The family have received a call that has completely
spooked them.

"They just want to get on with their grieving, without having all
this heaped on them."

A police spokesman last night said: "We are investigating the
circumstances surrounding the death of a young woman, who died in
the Mater hospital last weekend.

"Inquiries are continuing."

cmcguigan@belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573039

Flute Me!

By Stephen Breen
17 October 2004

A BITTER war-of-words erupted last night between nationalists and
unionists after a Scottish court ruled 'The Sash' was NOT a
sectarian song.

Sinn Fein and the DUP clashed, after it emerged Scot, Barry
Longmire, who was accused of singing sectarian songs outside a
police station, was acquitted of breaking anti-bigotry laws.

Longmire (18), from Lankashire, was cleared at Hamilton Sheriff
Court, after his solicitor convinced the judge 'The Sash' was not
a sectarian song.

The teenager faced religious prejudice charges.

But his acquittal has caused shockwaves through the Scottish legal
system.

His solicitor told the court: "The Sash is a folk song of family
bonds in the Orange tradition. Its words are not offensive to
anyone.

"The Sash - in itself - is not sectarian. If it was being sung
outside a Celtic club to wind people up, then the legislation
would come into play."

DUP Assemblyman, Nelson McCausland, said the court ruling "cannot"
be ignored in Northern Ireland.

But Sinn Fein MLA, Michael Browne, slammed the court's decision -
and insisted the song was "definitely" sectarian.

Said Mr McCausland: "This is an important decision and, while it
has been made in a Scottish court rather than here in Northern
Ireland, it is a landmark decision, which cannot be ignored.

"The Parades Commission and others would do well to take note of
it, when they are making future decisions about parades.

"I welcome this decision in Scotland, because The Sash is a
traditional folk song and in no way sectarian. That has always
been the view of the Orange Order, and it has now been confirmed
by the court ruling.

"We often hear republicans condemn The Sash as a sectarian song,
and I have even heard the tune described as sectarian, but this is
simply a reflection of the prejudice and intolerance of those
republicans."

But Mr Browne hit out at the DUP's stance on the song, saying: "I
don't think the Scottish court would have been too well versed in
our political situation - that's why they have made this ruling.

"The perception of The Sash in my experience is sectarian, because
it has been used to heighten tensions - especially in interface
areas.

"The song has been adopted by an organisation which is sectarian,
and I've no doubt thousands of nationalists would also tell the
Scottish court how this song has been used to stir up trouble."

sbreen@ belfasttelegraph. co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573068

A Barred Man

By Ciaran McGuigan

17 October 2004

THIS is the picture that ties wannabe club boss Alec McGrugan to
gun-toting UDA racketeer Andre Shoukri.

Cops are determined that the roly-poly former prison officer WON'T
be granted an entertainment licence to run a Belfast club at the
centre of a drugs raid, earlier this month.

And our picture will further alarm city councillors, due to hear a
licence application for the notorious former Network Club, later
this week.

It shows former warder McGrugan accompanying his pal Andre Shoukri
to court, when the UDA's north Belfast brigadier was facing
weapons charges last year.

According to loyalist sources, McGrugan is a close friend of
Shoukri, although he is not himself a member of the UDA.

The Netownabbey man hopes Belfast City Council will transfer the
licence for the club, now called Insomnia, from the current
licensee, Karen McGoldrick, to his name.

As well as his relationship with the UDA's north Belfast boss,
councillors are likely to be put off by the fact that, earlier
this month, cops raided the premises and recovered drugs, illegal
gaming machines, cigarettes and alcohol.

One person was arrested and later released, pending further
inquiries.

Following the seizure of a large quantity of ecstasy at the club,
a police spokesman said that detectives were following a definite
line of inquiry, with loyalist terrorists believed to be involved.

He said: "This was a successful operation against organised crime
in Belfast city centre, which has taken a substantial amount of
potentially-lethal drugs off the streets."

Sunday Life understands that the raid, earlier this month, came
after a lengthy undercover operation inside the premises by cops
posing as clubbers.

The club has been in the headlines before.

Three years ago dad-of-two James Braiden collapsed and died in the
club, after taking an ecstasy tablet.

And on a re-opening of the club, in December 2002, it was the
target of a loyalist pipe bomb attack.

cmguigan@belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573051

Jailer May Not Be Called To Wright Inquiry

By Stephen Breen
17 October 2004

A FORMER prison officer - who administered first aid to Billy
Wright as he lay dying - may be excused from the public inquiry
into the LVF chief's killing, after he claimed to be suffering
from serious psychological problems.

The ex-Maze employee, who received substantial damages for stress
as a result of Wright's killing by the INLA, is now living in New
Zealand.

But senior security sources claimed the former officer may not be
called to give evidence, because of his mental condition.

According to the man's legal team, he is still suffering from the
"severe psychiatric consequences" of the 1997 murder.

The ex-officer, who was not present when Wright was blasted in the
chest, was one of a number of officers who desperately fought to
save the loyalist warlord's life.

Although he was present in the immediate aftermath of the
shooting, Wright's family do not believe the former prison
employee's evidence will benefit the inquiry.

A security source said it was a "possibility" the man may be
excused from participating in the forthcoming inquiry, which is
expected to commence next year.

Said the source: "The ex-officer now has a new life, but if he has
a serious mental condition, because of what happened the day
Wright was murdered, he might not have to attend the inquiry.

"He got a big payout for the trauma he suffered and, after co-
operating with Wright's inquest, he might have thought that was
the end of the matter.

"If his mental condition improves, whoever is in charge of the
inquiry may request that he returns from New Zealand to
participate in the inquiry."

A spokesman for the Wright family told Sunday Life that the ex-
officer's evidence would not help uncover the truth about the
controversial killing.

Added the spokesman: "The family has seen this prison officer's
statement to the inquest, and it is obvious he didn't arrive at
the murder scene until after the incident took place.

"We believe his input into the inquiry will be minimal, because
the main focus of inquiry will be to investigate the family's
claim that Billy was murdered through collusion.

"It will also be up to whoever heads the inquiry, if it believes
it will be cost-effective to bring him back to Northern Ireland."

A spokeswoman for the Prison Service refused to comment on the
claims, adding: "The Prison Service does not discuss individual
cases.

"It will be a matter for the inquiry, once established, to
determine which witnesses to call."

sbreen@belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573041

Army Montages Used To Target Border Provos

17 October 2004

SECURITY spooks used an IRA mole to post Army montages to top
Provos with the warning "you are next" scrawled beside their
picture, it has been claimed.

And the ex-Provo spy involved in the dirty tricks operation is now
a Real IRA prisoner.

A former republican has claimed the montages were sent to top
Provos in Newry, only days after UFF gunmen murdered Rathfriland
man, Loughlin Maginn, in August 1989.

Mr Maginn was not an IRA member, but his photo was included on
papers leaked to the UDA.

Following his murder, the UFF revealed security force photographs
of alleged IRA suspects to the media - a move which led to Sir
John Stevens' first collusion inquiry.

The ex-republican told Sunday Life said that around the same time,
IRA suspects in Newry began receiving intelligence montages,
featuring themselves, through the post.

"What the IRA didn't know was a top Dundalk Provo, who was also a
Brit agent, had organised the whole thing," he said.

"His security service handlers gave him montages, and told him to
send them to specific individuals. The montages were later posted
in Portadown by two IRA volunteers, a man and a woman.

"The idea was that the Provos would think they were being targeted
by loyalists. If they were killed, loyalists would be blamed."

The former republican, who now lives in Co Wicklow, claimed the
Dundalk Provo - now a Real IRA prisoner in the Republic - had been
passing intelligence on the IRA to the security services for
years.

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573057

Hotels Under Terror Threat

17 October 2004

DISSIDENT republicans have widened their terror campaign against
District Policing Partnerships - with a sinister new threat
against nationalist-owned hotels.

The Continuity IRA has warned it will take action against hotels
that stage district policing meetings.

The terror group - which blasted the Killyhevlin Hotel in
Enniskillen, in 1996 - issued the coded warning at the start of
last week, naming a number of specific hotels it claims have been
used as venues for partnership meetings.

Cops are aware of the threat, and detectives called in to
investigate the call suspect it was made by a representative of
the group, using a public telephone box in west Belfast.

SDLP MP Eddie McGrady - who is a member of the Policing Board -
said it was a "pathetic" attempt to hold back the progress that is
being made on policing.

"The threat to hotels and establishments that host DPP meetings is
another indication that these people cannot, and will not, accept
that the vast majority of the community rejects violence," said
the South Down MP.

"They have been unable to impede the progress and reform of the
police service, and this is a pathetic attempt to try to cause
disruption."

And he added: "While this must be treated with the utmost gravity
and seriousness, these threats and attacks on hard-working members
of district partnerships are an outrageous attempt by out-of-date
terrorists, to try to impose their failed ideology on a community
which has moved well beyond the age in which they are stuck.

"They will not succeed. The people of Northern Ireland are on the
path to peace."

slnews@belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573052

'Shame On You Orde'

17 October 2004

AN Ulster Unionist MLA has become the first member of his party to
resign from a District Policing Partnership board - in protest at
the "shabby treatment" of members of the full-time reserve.

But Michael Copeland, who is also a member of Castlereagh Borough
Council, insisted last night: "I would wish that none of my party
colleagues follows me, because I am deeply supportive of the DPP
system."

Mr Copeland explained that it was his own family links with the
police, and his concern for the families of full-time reservists,
that prompted his decision.

He told Sunday Life: "One person I have been dealing with has 26
years service. His settlement will amount to no more than the
value of one cigarette for every hour of his service.

"He will be left unable to clear his mortgage and is considering
going to Iraq.

"It's scandalous and it makes me sick to my stomach - it stinks."

He added: "The Chief Constable simply placed political expediency
above operational necessity.

"Call me weak or foolish for placing my own sensibilities above my
public duty, but I could not in all conscience carry on."

Mr Copeland, who was the first chairman of the DPP in Castlereagh,
revealed: "A week before we got engaged, my wife was hit with an
M60 machine-gun as she was going into the back of Springfield Road
police station.

"She was also blown up on three subsequent occasions before being
invalided out of the RUC some 15 to 16 years ago.

"I would be more sensitive to the fate that befell the RUC and
full-time reserve than many of my fellow councillors, because I
was so close to it."

Mr Copeland said he asked the council to relieve him of his duties
on the DPP and to replace him with a UUP member.

"I stated privately months beforehand that if the Chief Constable
moved to dispense with the services of the full-time reserve, I
would take whatever decision was appropriate, in other words, not
let these men go into the dark alone.

"I consulted with both Jim White, who succeeded me (as DPP
chairman in Castlereagh), and also Peter Robinson, to ensure that
the work of the DPP would not be disrupted.

"Indeed, I asked for no publicity about this, because I did not
want to do anything to cause any embarrassment to anyone -
unionist or otherwise - who remained within the system."

Mr Cope- land, who is winding down his kitchen business, in order
to concentrate on his growing workload as an MLA and councillor,
added: "I fully support the work of those who wish to continue (in
the DPP).

"Were it not for my family connections with the RUC, and my true
understanding of the situation that the full-time reserve families
find themselves in, I would have continued."

Fellow Ulster Unionist councillor David Drysdale has replaced Mr
Copeland on Castlereagh DPP.

slnews@ belfast telegraph. co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573048

Dail M For MI5!

By Alan Murray
17 October 2004

TWO former TDs will be named as MI5 agents when the public enquiry
into the murders of two senior RUC officers gets underway in the
Republic, next year.

The politicians, who are now retired from the Dail, will be named
by a former soldier who uses the pseudonym 'Kevin Fulton', and who
was recruited by the Army's secret Force Research Unit (FRU) to
spy on the IRA.

The Newry man later assisted MI5, CID and Customs and Excise to
disrupt paramilitary-linked gangs in Northern Ireland, Europe and
the US.

It's understood he will tell the tribunal, which will probe the
murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent
Robert Buchanan, that the two politicians provided 'cover' for a
major fraud against the EC involving powdered milk.

Fulton - who can't make any public comment about the controversial
claims because of an ongoing legal action against the Ministry of
Defence - has told friends that he will ensure that the two former
TDs are unmasked.

Said a friend: "He is determined to expose these two politicians
and their involvement with an IRA man, who was an MI5 agent.

"Even if the tribunal goes in camera to hear his allegations, he
is determined publicly to name those who planned the ambush of
Breen and Buchanan, those who assisted them from within the Garda,
and the politicians who were in cahoots with an IRA crime figure
in Co Louth, at the time."

It's understood the former Army agent will prepare a statement for
the tribunal and publish it on the internet after he presents it
to the panel - which has yet to be appointed by the Republic's
Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell.

"There's no way this is going to stay secret - even if the
tribunal decides to go in camera to protect the individuals in the
Garda, and political ranks who will be named.

"This will become public knowledge within hours of the Tribunal
sitting. It will be posted on an internet site, so everyone will
be able to read the details."

Last December, Mr McDowell announced that an inquiry into the
Breen and Buchanan murders will be held under the terms of the
Tribunal of Inquiries (Evidence) Act, which has the scope to
inquire into allegations that state employees colluded in the
deaths of the two RUC officers.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice in Dublin said last week
that Mr McDowell planned to bring his proposals for a tribunal
before the Dail, before Christmas.

"The minister is planning to present this matter before the Dail,
in the current parliamentary session," said a spokesman.

A former Army officer, who uses the pseudonym 'Martin Ingram', may
also have knowledge of five Army agents who worked for government
agencies in the Republic.

He was forced to flee his home in the Republic following a
burglary, when personal papers were taken including a memoir which
turned up in MoD legal documents.

slnews@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573043

Sinn Fein Accused Of Targeting Dissident

By Stephen Breen
17 October 2004

REPUBLICANS last night denied they were behind a campaign of
intimidation against one of their former comrades.

Paddy Murray - chairman of the Rathenraw Community Association, in
Antrim - claims local mainstream republicans have wrongly branded
him as an informer.

The ex-IRA prisoner accused Sinn Fein members from north Belfast
of daubing graffiti close to his home, alleging that he was an MI5
agent.

The community worker claimed he has been targeted by republicans
on numerous occasions, because of his decision to leave Sinn Fein.

He quit the party after personal disagreements with senior Sinn
Fein figures.

The former republican also accused Sinn Fein members of hurling
bricks at the home of a mixed-marriage couple in the estate, last
Wednesday.

But Antrim Sinn Fein councillor Martin McManus hit back at the
claims, and denied Sinn Fein had targeted Mr Murray.

Said Mr Murray: "I know who they are. They are from Ardoyne, in
north Belfast and they were brought here by people who want to get
at me for walking away from Sinn Fein.

"I am now in political limbo and just want to work for the good of
the people on this estate.

"As for being an informer - it's laughable.

"The police are regular callers at my door, only because I am
targeted all the time.

"Only last week, my garden shed was torched. And last month, a
caller to the Samaritans claimed a device had been planted under
my car, but it turned out to be a hoax.

"I know I am a marked man because I left the fold."

But Mr McManus denied his party had orchestrated a campaign
against Mr Murray.

He said: "Nobody in, or associated with, Sinn Fein has been
responsible for a campaign of intimidation against Paddy Murray.

"This is a man who is nothing but a control freak, and someone who
has absolutely no support in the estate.

"His claims are ridiculous. What benefit would this type of
activity be to Sinn Fein?"

sbreen@belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573046

Hitman's £10k For McAlorum Murder

By Stephen Breen
17 October 2004

A FEARED hitman was paid around £10,000 by renegade republicans to
murder notorious Ulster drug-baron Kevin McAlorum, it has been
claimed.

Senior security sources told Sunday Life that the chief suspect in
the gangland killing was paid the cash by INLA godfathers, to kill
McAlorum - because of his close links to loyalist terror groups.

The gunman - now on the run in the Republic - is also believed to
be the same man who was paid by the IRA in 1998, to murder drug-
lord Brendan 'Bap' Campbell.

He was also linked to the murder of drug-dealer, John Knocker,
also in 1998, but was never brought before the courts.

The killer has also close links to the drugs trade, but was
approached by INLA leaders, who wanted McAlorum dead after he
refused to cut his ties with drug-dealing loyalists.

The 31-year-old drug-baron was also never forgiven by the terror
group for killing Belfast INLA boss, Gino Gallagher, in 1996.

Ironically, Gallagher's father, Patrick, was buried in Dublin the
day before McAlorum was shot.

McAlorum had forged close links with a notorious north Belfast LVF
gang, and a UVF gangster, who was booted out of the terror group
last year in a row over £500,000 drugs cash.

McAlorum was ruthlessly ambushed by a heavily-armed gang, outside
Oakwood Integrated Primary School, in Dunmurry, in June.

Sources claimed the Provos sanctioned the INLA move, but refused
to provide weapons in the murder, because of the peace process.

McAlorum's killer is now in hiding, over fears that members of the
drug-baron's gang have stepped up their efforts to target him.

Said a senior security source: "McAlorum's killer would do
anything for money - that's why he jumped at the chance to take
him out.

"INLA leaders knew this man had close links to drug-dealers, but
because they were unable to get to McAlorum themselves, they
decided to let money do the talking.

"This man is a ruthless assassin. Although he was never in the
IRA, republicans also paid him cash to take out Campbell and
Knocker.

"McAlorum's killer is a ruthless gunman. But nobody knows where he
is at the minute, because he's keeping a very low profile.

"He knows McAlorum's pals are determined to seek revenge for his
killing."

sbreen@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573040

FRU Must Be Joking!

By Ciaran McGuigan
17 October 2004

A TORY MP has rubbished claims - published on an internet
intelligence website - that he was a former member of the shadowy
Force Research Unit.

Former army officer, and now Conservative MP for Newark, Patrick
Mercer, laughed off suggestions that he had been photographed at
an FRU function, as claimed on a New York-based website.

Mr Mercer, currently the Shadow Minister for Homeland Security,
admitted he had "extensive contacts" with the FRU, which has been
implicated in collusion and murder.

But he denied claims he had ever served in the unit, and dismissed
claims that it was him who appeared with FRU boss, Brigadier
Gordon Kerr, at a dinner function.

When shown the photograph that appeared on the US-based website,
Mr Mercer told Sunday Life: "I don't know who he is, but he's not
me.

"I have never served in the Force Research Unit.

"I served extensively on intelligence duties in Northern Ireland,
and had extensive contacts with the Force Research Unit, but I was
never a member of it."

The FRU was at the centre of collusion, providing UDA spy, Brian
Nelson, with victims' details to be passed on to loyalist murder
squads.

And, at the same time, it ran spies inside the heart of the IRA,
including Freddie 'Stakeknife' Scappaticci.

However, Mr Mercer, who served in Ulster as a battalion
intelligence officer, defended the unit's work.

"My impression is that the FRU had an extremely difficult job to
do, and was for the most part extremely effective, but it is a
very difficult area in which they were operating.

"The fact that there has been so much controversy about the FRU
would suggest that they hurt the IRA, and other terrorist
organisations, very badly indeed.

"I was not surprised (when I heard allegations of FRU being
implicated in murder), because the whole business of intelligence
operations is a dirty business. Both sides will endeavour to use
whatever levers they have on the other side.

"I would be amazed if the FRU had been involved in anything like
that. I am not in the least surprised that these sort of
allegations have surfaced.

"My only dealings with the FRU showed them to be brave men and
women, doing a difficult and dangerous job and their methods, as
far as I knew, were entirely above board."

cmcguigan@belfast telegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573030

No Clear Run For Daphne

By Joe Oliver
17 October 2004

DAVID Trimble's wife, Daphne, is facing a challenge in her bid to
secure the Ulster Unionist nomination in Lagan Valley, Sunday Life
can reveal.

Mrs Trimble, whose husband celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday,
was hoping for a clear run to take on sitting MP Jeffrey
Donaldson, in next May's Westminster elections.

But just 24 hours before nominations closed, Hillsborough
businessman Basil McCrea submitted his letter of nomination to the
Lagan Valley association.

Mr McCrea (44), told us yesterday: "The constituency now has a
choice.

"I am pro-Agreement, on the basis that the IRA has to
decommission.

"Daphne is a very courageous lady. If she wins the nomination, I
will support her fully."

Mr McCrea, who works in telecommunications, added: "I probably
have a different emphasis.

"I'm concerned with the economic situation, and the worry that
many people have with jobs disappearing almost weekly.

"There is a whole list of economic woes, and maybe we need someone
who understands economics to take this on."

The Lagan Valley association will now meet to decide who will run
against Mr Donaldson, who jumped ship to the Democratic Unionists
in January.

One senior member of the association said: "Basil McCrea many not
be as well known in unionist circles as Mrs Trimble.

"But he has some very fresh ideas about the party, and Daphne's
selection is by no means a formality."

Mrs Trimble (51), a former solicitor, decided to throw her hat in
the ring last month, after claiming Mr Donaldson did not
"represent the people of Lagan Valley".

She vowed to take the seat back, and insisted she was prepared for
the rough and tumble of Northern Ireland politics.

But either she or Mr McCrea will face a tough battle.

Mr Donaldson's 25,966 votes in the last Westminster poll was more
than any other Ulster MP.

slnews@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

********************

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=573047

Old Boy Neeson Helps Celebrations

17 October 2004

THE former school of Ballymena-born movie superstar, Liam Neeson,
is hoping he will pay a visit to help celebrate its 45th birthday.

Neeson (52) attended St Patrick's College on the town's
Broughshane Road, from 1963 to 1967.

And the star has told the school that he hopes to drop in to help
celebrate the occasion.

St Patrick's had hoped to lure Neeson back for a special
anniversary event, later this month.

But, according to principal, Catherine Magee, Neeson appears
unable to attend the function.

However, the school hopes to secure a goodwill message from the
actor, to be read out at a special dinner tonight.

Said Ms Magee: "I was speaking to Liam's sister this week and he
had been filming in Ireland, but his wife (actress Natasha
Richardson) is filming, and he has gone back to America.

"Whenever one of them is filming, the other one stays at home with
the children, and vice-versa.

"His sister was able to contact him, and we hope to get some sort
of a message.

"We are also hopeful he will be back in the country during the
school year, as he is quite keen to visit."

St Patrick's opened in September 1959, and tonight the school will
host a special Mass, a tour of the school and a special dinner.

Liam's mother, Kitty, still lives in Ballymena, just a short
distance from St Patrick's.
Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?