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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)
April 21, 2009
Topper Thomas Memorial (click image to enlarge)
A number of contributing factors relating to the murder exist in which culpability is jointly established by various agencies under the control of the British gov as part of the wider policy of collusion:- That the weapon/s used in the murder of Paul 'Topper' Thompson were part of the consignment of weapons imported by British army agent Brian Nelson under the direction of MI5 with approval from the British Foreign Office, Whitehall and Downing St;
- That the attack occurred against a background and heightened period of intensive and unprecedented loyalist attacks on nationalists across the north facilitated by the weapons imported by Nelson, MI5 and the British Gov - collusion;
- The immediate area in which the murder occurred was an interface which had been commonly used by loyalists in previous collusive attacks;
- That threats had been regularly made to the Taxi Depot where Paul 'Topper' Thompson worked and that drivers were frequently harassed by both the RUC and the British army;
- That the RUC and British army were stationed in a large barrack situated near the entrance to Springhill Park literally yards from the attack on the taxi car responding to a pick-up call;
- That there was sophisticated surveillance equipment overlooking the immediate area and the getaway route used by the killers;
- That there was no effective investigation into the murder nor anyone held directly accountable;
- That local residents reported and kept logs of previous attacks and RUC responses to calls for assistance and follow-ups;
- That the RUC failed in response, follow-up and investigation of previous incidents including investigating Paul's murder;
- That local residents reported deliberate breaks in the security fence separating the nearby loyalist Springmartin and Springhill Park by loyalists in order to facilitate an attack prior to Paul's murder;
- That these reports were made to the highest levels throughout the NIO in which an attack was 'imminent' yet both the RUC and the NIO, who were regularly informed of what was happening in light of the failures of the RUC and in a desperate bid to prevent an attack by loyalists and loss of life, failed to effectively respond;
- After the murder the NIO attempted to avoid any culpability and misinformed the media - only for the diligence of the local residents re logs of telephone calls, letters, faxes, was the NIO's pathetic and mendacious attempts at misleading the public exposed;
- That the community based independent and international inquiry into the murder established all of these facts as well as indicting the RUC and the NIO for their systemic failings - collusion was also established as a central factor in the murder;
- Initial attempts to hold an inquest into the murder had to be adjourned when it was clear that the collective body of evidence by local residents and the Thompson family, including many witnesses prepared to give evidence, would judicially expose both the RUC and the NIO;
- That currently RFJ and the CAJ are working with and supporting the Thompson family to hold a proper compliant Article 2 inquest in which the full facts are examined concerning the murder and culpability established.
In concluding RFJ would call on everyone throughout the community to attend the commemoration next Monday evening remembering Paul. We particularly call on families also affected by the policy of collusion to attend and show their support and solidarity with the Thompson family in their ongoing struggle for justice. In particular we would also on this occasion like to remember and pay tribute to Paul's mother Margaret Thompson whose untimely and premature death just a few years ago was as a direct consequence of the loss of Paul. Margaret was a valued member of RFJ and was a persistent campaigner for the truth concerning the collusion surrounding Paul's murder.
April 10, 2009
United Ireland Forum - NY June 13; SF June 27 (click to enlarge)
