13.9.03
IOL: Gardaí arrest three dissidents
Gardaí arrested three men and seized a number of firearms today as part of an ongoing operation into the activities of dissident republicans.
The men – all from Northern Ireland – were arrested when officers stopped a vehicle at Whitehall, north Co Dublin, at around 12.30pm.
Gardaí said they were all in their late 30s to early 40s.
They were being questioned under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Whitehall and Santry Garda stations, and can be held for up to 72 hours.
The arrests were part of an operation between gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Gardaí arrested three men and seized a number of firearms today as part of an ongoing operation into the activities of dissident republicans.
The men – all from Northern Ireland – were arrested when officers stopped a vehicle at Whitehall, north Co Dublin, at around 12.30pm.
Gardaí said they were all in their late 30s to early 40s.
They were being questioned under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Whitehall and Santry Garda stations, and can be held for up to 72 hours.
The arrests were part of an operation between gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
12.9.03
ic Derry - Greysteel Concern at Masked Activity
**If it LOOKS like a duck and it WALKS like a duck and it QUACKS like a duck...
Greysteel Concern at Masked Activity Sep 12 2003
RESIDENTS OF the County Derry village of Greysteel have said they are concerned at reports of masked men being seen in the village and they have queried as to what they were up to.
The 'Journal' was contacted by several residents of Greysteel who reported that earlier this week a group of masked men had been seen in the village.
One man who asked not to be identified said: "These men seemed to know exactly what they were up to and who they were looking for.
"They were seen in several parts of the village and their appearance caused quite a lot of concern to people around here."
Another resident, a woman, said: "My child reported seeing a group of masked men and this immediately caused me a lot of concern.
"As far as I can gather they seemed to be looking for specific people around the village."
Other residents said they were unsure what was happening when the men were seen but it appears that there were no incidents during the incident.
When contacted about the incident Sinn Fein councillor for the area, Martin McGuigan, said he had heard about the appearance of the masked men but had no information as to what was going on.
He said: "I have been contacted by several residents of Greysteel who told me about this incident but I cannot say for definite what is behind it.
"Like everyone else I can speculate what is behind the appearance of these men and I have to wonder has it anything to do with a recent upsurge in antisocial activity in the Greysteel area."
He went on: "In recent weeks we have seen a marked increase in anti social activity in this area. "There has been cars burnt and mindless vandalism which has caused massive inconvenience to the local community.
"We, at Sinn Fein, have been inundated with complaints about the actions of what is undoubtedly a very small minority of residents in Greysteel.
"Local people have reported that contacting the PSNI seems to have no effect as nothing ever seems to be done about the ongoing problem."
Colr. McGuigan continued: "I do not know if there is any connection between the anti social activity and the activities of these masked men in the village.
"Perhaps it is a case where the local community in one form or another decided to do something about this problem.
"If people are concerned about masked men being seen in the village they should contact Sinn Fein.
"And if this is connected to the anti-social problem then the whole community has a part to play in stamping it out."
**If it LOOKS like a duck and it WALKS like a duck and it QUACKS like a duck...
Greysteel Concern at Masked Activity Sep 12 2003
RESIDENTS OF the County Derry village of Greysteel have said they are concerned at reports of masked men being seen in the village and they have queried as to what they were up to.
The 'Journal' was contacted by several residents of Greysteel who reported that earlier this week a group of masked men had been seen in the village.
One man who asked not to be identified said: "These men seemed to know exactly what they were up to and who they were looking for.
"They were seen in several parts of the village and their appearance caused quite a lot of concern to people around here."
Another resident, a woman, said: "My child reported seeing a group of masked men and this immediately caused me a lot of concern.
"As far as I can gather they seemed to be looking for specific people around the village."
Other residents said they were unsure what was happening when the men were seen but it appears that there were no incidents during the incident.
When contacted about the incident Sinn Fein councillor for the area, Martin McGuigan, said he had heard about the appearance of the masked men but had no information as to what was going on.
He said: "I have been contacted by several residents of Greysteel who told me about this incident but I cannot say for definite what is behind it.
"Like everyone else I can speculate what is behind the appearance of these men and I have to wonder has it anything to do with a recent upsurge in antisocial activity in the Greysteel area."
He went on: "In recent weeks we have seen a marked increase in anti social activity in this area. "There has been cars burnt and mindless vandalism which has caused massive inconvenience to the local community.
"We, at Sinn Fein, have been inundated with complaints about the actions of what is undoubtedly a very small minority of residents in Greysteel.
"Local people have reported that contacting the PSNI seems to have no effect as nothing ever seems to be done about the ongoing problem."
Colr. McGuigan continued: "I do not know if there is any connection between the anti social activity and the activities of these masked men in the village.
"Perhaps it is a case where the local community in one form or another decided to do something about this problem.
"If people are concerned about masked men being seen in the village they should contact Sinn Fein.
"And if this is connected to the anti-social problem then the whole community has a part to play in stamping it out."
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | House targeted in bomb attack
A family whose County Antrim home was targeted in a bomb attack have been under threat from the UVF for several weeks.
A family whose County Antrim home was targeted in a bomb attack have been under threat from the UVF for several weeks.
11.9.03
ic NorthernIreland - Northern Ireland News
UDA Warning to Village Parents Sep 11 2003
A DUP councillor has warned parents in the Village area of south Belfast that if they cannot control their children's behaviour, ''someone else will do it for them''.
Ruth Patterson made the comments following an incident near Broadway roundabout when a group of children, some as young as nine years old, threw boulders at passing motorists.
The children gathered around 6pm on Tuesday at Glenmachen Street and used a long metal pole to launch boulders at the cars as they approached the roundabout from Boucher Road.
A PSNI spokesperson said they had received several reports about the incident but added they had not received any reports of injuries or damage to vehicles.
The UDA have already put up posters in the area, warning that anti-social activity "will not be tolerated", and that "further action will be taken against those responsible".
Ms Patterson urged parents to take a tighter control over their children.
''Paramilitaries in the area have put up posters about this kind of anti-social behaviour, and they have said they will not tolerate it. The police are up to their eyes in everyday crimes and, at the end of the day, if parents cannot take responsible control of their children then someone else is going to do it for them.
''Children are out causing mayhem on the streets and their parents have no notion of the enormity of destruction and damage that is being caused by them.
"The simple fact is, someone could have been killed and how are these parents going to feel when the police turn up on their doorsteps and tell them it is because their child threw a stone at someone?''
''Children need to be checked in the home first. At that time of day, these children should be having their tea or doing their homework - not out roaming the streets.''
Ulster Unionist councillor Bob Stoker also urged young people to take heed of the seriousness of their behaviour.
''We are trying to get over the difficulties that exist in the Glenmachen Street area and this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.
''These acts of mindless vandalism have to end, especially when lives are being put in danger.''
Just weeks ago, residents from the Donegall Road and St James met to discuss growing sectarian tensions between the two communities.
Mr Stoker asked both communities to make sure gatherings of young people were dispersed as quickly as possible.
UDA Warning to Village Parents Sep 11 2003
A DUP councillor has warned parents in the Village area of south Belfast that if they cannot control their children's behaviour, ''someone else will do it for them''.
Ruth Patterson made the comments following an incident near Broadway roundabout when a group of children, some as young as nine years old, threw boulders at passing motorists.
The children gathered around 6pm on Tuesday at Glenmachen Street and used a long metal pole to launch boulders at the cars as they approached the roundabout from Boucher Road.
A PSNI spokesperson said they had received several reports about the incident but added they had not received any reports of injuries or damage to vehicles.
The UDA have already put up posters in the area, warning that anti-social activity "will not be tolerated", and that "further action will be taken against those responsible".
Ms Patterson urged parents to take a tighter control over their children.
''Paramilitaries in the area have put up posters about this kind of anti-social behaviour, and they have said they will not tolerate it. The police are up to their eyes in everyday crimes and, at the end of the day, if parents cannot take responsible control of their children then someone else is going to do it for them.
''Children are out causing mayhem on the streets and their parents have no notion of the enormity of destruction and damage that is being caused by them.
"The simple fact is, someone could have been killed and how are these parents going to feel when the police turn up on their doorsteps and tell them it is because their child threw a stone at someone?''
''Children need to be checked in the home first. At that time of day, these children should be having their tea or doing their homework - not out roaming the streets.''
Ulster Unionist councillor Bob Stoker also urged young people to take heed of the seriousness of their behaviour.
''We are trying to get over the difficulties that exist in the Glenmachen Street area and this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.
''These acts of mindless vandalism have to end, especially when lives are being put in danger.''
Just weeks ago, residents from the Donegall Road and St James met to discuss growing sectarian tensions between the two communities.
Mr Stoker asked both communities to make sure gatherings of young people were dispersed as quickly as possible.
IOL: McGuinness denies Bloody Sunday allegations
McGuinness denies Bloody Sunday allegations
11/09/2003 - 07:53:09
Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has denied allegations that he provided detonators for nail bombs that were supposed to be used in an IRA attack on Bloody Sunday.
The allegations were made by Paddy Ward, a former IRA man who has admitted giving nail bombs to eight members of the junior IRA ahead of Bloody Sunday, including a 17-year-old who was shot dead by British soldiers on the day.
Mr Ward claimed Mr McGuinness and another man gave him the detonators for the bombs. He said it was agreed with Mr McGuinness that a nail bomb attack would be carried out at Derry’s Guildhall Square on Bloody Sunday, but the plan was aborted.
All the bombs were subsequently retrieved, except those given to 17-year-old Gerry Donaghy, who was later shot dead by British solders.
A spokesman for Mr McGuinness last night described the claims as "ridiculous" and said the Sinn Féin MP would deal with them when he gave evidence to the Saville Inquiry.
McGuinness denies Bloody Sunday allegations
11/09/2003 - 07:53:09
Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has denied allegations that he provided detonators for nail bombs that were supposed to be used in an IRA attack on Bloody Sunday.
The allegations were made by Paddy Ward, a former IRA man who has admitted giving nail bombs to eight members of the junior IRA ahead of Bloody Sunday, including a 17-year-old who was shot dead by British soldiers on the day.
Mr Ward claimed Mr McGuinness and another man gave him the detonators for the bombs. He said it was agreed with Mr McGuinness that a nail bomb attack would be carried out at Derry’s Guildhall Square on Bloody Sunday, but the plan was aborted.
All the bombs were subsequently retrieved, except those given to 17-year-old Gerry Donaghy, who was later shot dead by British solders.
A spokesman for Mr McGuinness last night described the claims as "ridiculous" and said the Sinn Féin MP would deal with them when he gave evidence to the Saville Inquiry.
Irish Echo Online - News
**California can give illegal immigrants driver's licenses and full benefits, but Irish musicians are not welcomed to give charity concerts in the U.S.
Troubadour trouble
2 top musicians are barred from entering the U.S.
By Ray O'Hanlon
rohanlon@irishecho.com
A charity concert was postponed and a musical reunion scrapped in the wake of two immigration snafus in Ireland last week that resulted in top Irish performers being blocked from entering the U.S.
**California can give illegal immigrants driver's licenses and full benefits, but Irish musicians are not welcomed to give charity concerts in the U.S.
Troubadour trouble
2 top musicians are barred from entering the U.S.
By Ray O'Hanlon
rohanlon@irishecho.com
A charity concert was postponed and a musical reunion scrapped in the wake of two immigration snafus in Ireland last week that resulted in top Irish performers being blocked from entering the U.S.
Hidden Truths: Images (Introduction)
IMAGES OF BLOODY SUNDAY
Here is a gallery of photographs of the events of Bloody Sunday. When you read stories about the supposed guilt of the civil rights marchers that day in Derry, keep these photographs in mind. Remember the carnage wreaked by the paras and especially how they shot people in the back as they ran for cover. When you are done looking at these, you can go
HERE to the CAIN Archive and burn Eamon Melaugh's photographs of the tragedy into your memory.
IMAGES OF BLOODY SUNDAY
Here is a gallery of photographs of the events of Bloody Sunday. When you read stories about the supposed guilt of the civil rights marchers that day in Derry, keep these photographs in mind. Remember the carnage wreaked by the paras and especially how they shot people in the back as they ran for cover. When you are done looking at these, you can go
HERE to the CAIN Archive and burn Eamon Melaugh's photographs of the tragedy into your memory.
10.9.03
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Legal action over school policing
Sectarian attacks and abuse directed at little girls during a dispute at a north Belfast primary school has been compared to the treatment of American blacks in Alabama in the 1960s.
Sectarian attacks and abuse directed at little girls during a dispute at a north Belfast primary school has been compared to the treatment of American blacks in Alabama in the 1960s.
IOL: Adams and Blair held secret talks last week
Sinn Féin has confirmed that party leader Gerry Adams held secret talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair last week.
The talks were part of efforts to restart the peace process following the British government’s decision to cancel the North’s elections earlier this year.
Sinn Féin has confirmed that party leader Gerry Adams held secret talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair last week.
The talks were part of efforts to restart the peace process following the British government’s decision to cancel the North’s elections earlier this year.
9.9.03
Irish National Freedom Committee
'mise' over at the IRBB posted the above link to the interview about the lack of prisoners' rights.
'mise' over at the IRBB posted the above link to the interview about the lack of prisoners' rights.
8.9.03
IrelandClick.com
Butchers back on Shankill
Young Catholic
is badly injured by hatchet gang
A hatchet wielding loyalist gang from the Shankill split open a West Belfast man’s head in the early hours of yesterday morning and left the young victim for dead.
The target of the vicious assault is believed to be from the Gransha area and between 27 and 30 years of age. He had been walking across Carrick Hill when loyalists armed with hatchets attacked him at around 1.50am .
And the latest attack has led to calls for action after a spate of attacks in the area, which is close to the Shankill Road. Katrina McMoran who lives in the Scot Quarters flats on Carrick Hill said she heard screams as she sat watching television.
“There were about three attacks around the same time. I heard this girl screaming and saw men attacking the man she was with. We ran down the stairs. We didn’t see that a fella had got a terrible beating and was lying unconscious on the ground. It looked like the girl’s husband had been attacked coming to help him. There were about five loyalists and I think they thought they had killed the fella because they walked calmly on to the Shankill. There were ones on the Clifton Street side that were on mobiles and then this black car appeared which I thought was very suspicious. It looks like they are phoning for these cars to come through.”
The young woman, her mother and sister went to the aid of the young man.
“He got up and was staggering. We brought him into the flats but he was concussed and in shock. I phoned an ambulance for him. He had a big open wound on his head from the crown to his forehead. It was sticking up and was open. I said to him that his arm was broken because it was round his back and he couldn’t move it. I said to him ‘you got attacked’, but he didn’t know anything. He just kept saying he had to go home because he had a match in the morning. He said he had been out at the Odyssey and was from Gransha. I don’t know what he was doing up on Carrick Hill.”
Residents of Carrick Hill said the situation was worsening on the notorious stretch of road between Clifton Street, Shankill and the Falls Road.
Journalist: Andrea McKernon
Butchers back on Shankill
Young Catholic
is badly injured by hatchet gang
A hatchet wielding loyalist gang from the Shankill split open a West Belfast man’s head in the early hours of yesterday morning and left the young victim for dead.
The target of the vicious assault is believed to be from the Gransha area and between 27 and 30 years of age. He had been walking across Carrick Hill when loyalists armed with hatchets attacked him at around 1.50am .
And the latest attack has led to calls for action after a spate of attacks in the area, which is close to the Shankill Road. Katrina McMoran who lives in the Scot Quarters flats on Carrick Hill said she heard screams as she sat watching television.
“There were about three attacks around the same time. I heard this girl screaming and saw men attacking the man she was with. We ran down the stairs. We didn’t see that a fella had got a terrible beating and was lying unconscious on the ground. It looked like the girl’s husband had been attacked coming to help him. There were about five loyalists and I think they thought they had killed the fella because they walked calmly on to the Shankill. There were ones on the Clifton Street side that were on mobiles and then this black car appeared which I thought was very suspicious. It looks like they are phoning for these cars to come through.”
The young woman, her mother and sister went to the aid of the young man.
“He got up and was staggering. We brought him into the flats but he was concussed and in shock. I phoned an ambulance for him. He had a big open wound on his head from the crown to his forehead. It was sticking up and was open. I said to him that his arm was broken because it was round his back and he couldn’t move it. I said to him ‘you got attacked’, but he didn’t know anything. He just kept saying he had to go home because he had a match in the morning. He said he had been out at the Odyssey and was from Gransha. I don’t know what he was doing up on Carrick Hill.”
Residents of Carrick Hill said the situation was worsening on the notorious stretch of road between Clifton Street, Shankill and the Falls Road.
Journalist: Andrea McKernon
IrelandClick.com
PISSNI--BUSINESS AS USUAL
Death Threat
But it takes PSNI eight months to warn mother she’s on UDA death list
A Poleglass mother-of-three has claimed the PSNI have put her life at risk after warning her that she is on a UDA death threat – eight months late.
The 37-year-old – who is too scared to be named – says she is frightened for her life, and those of her children, after being told on Thursday night that her address had been found on a floppy disc discovered after a PSNI raid on a house in ‘the Greater Belfast area’ in January. Now she says anything could have happened in the intervening months and she’s at her “wits’ end”.
“When I came home on Tuesday there was a card in the hall from the PSNI asking me to contact them “on a matter of urgency regarding a threat message”.
“I had no idea what they were talking about, but the card asked me to come down to the station. When I went down to Woodbourne I asked them what it was all about. I was taken into a room and a female officer informed me that on January 9 a house was raided in the Greater Belfast area and my address had been found on a floppy disc. She told me she believed the floppy disc had been in possession of the UDA.
“I was told that the threat was to the house and not to me – what does that mean? I’ve lived here for 14 years and have never been in any trouble.”
The terrified Poleglass woman said she can’t understand why the PSNI would wait a whole nine months before informing her of the threat.
“I’m in a complete panic,” she said. “Anything could have happened to me over the past year, yet the PSNI didn’t think it was necessary to let me know that my details had been found on a disc. I’m at my wits’ end here.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said they did not comment on the circumstances around individual security. However, last night former West Belfast MLA Sue Ramsey hit out at the PSNI and said she was “astounded to learn that the PSNI had the disc since January”.
“It’s a complete disgrace. I have advised the woman to contact her solicitor about this.
“However, I would also advise people to be vigilant and to be aware that the UDA are still targeting Catholics.”
Journalist: Anthony Neeson
PISSNI--BUSINESS AS USUAL
Death Threat
But it takes PSNI eight months to warn mother she’s on UDA death list
A Poleglass mother-of-three has claimed the PSNI have put her life at risk after warning her that she is on a UDA death threat – eight months late.
The 37-year-old – who is too scared to be named – says she is frightened for her life, and those of her children, after being told on Thursday night that her address had been found on a floppy disc discovered after a PSNI raid on a house in ‘the Greater Belfast area’ in January. Now she says anything could have happened in the intervening months and she’s at her “wits’ end”.
“When I came home on Tuesday there was a card in the hall from the PSNI asking me to contact them “on a matter of urgency regarding a threat message”.
“I had no idea what they were talking about, but the card asked me to come down to the station. When I went down to Woodbourne I asked them what it was all about. I was taken into a room and a female officer informed me that on January 9 a house was raided in the Greater Belfast area and my address had been found on a floppy disc. She told me she believed the floppy disc had been in possession of the UDA.
“I was told that the threat was to the house and not to me – what does that mean? I’ve lived here for 14 years and have never been in any trouble.”
The terrified Poleglass woman said she can’t understand why the PSNI would wait a whole nine months before informing her of the threat.
“I’m in a complete panic,” she said. “Anything could have happened to me over the past year, yet the PSNI didn’t think it was necessary to let me know that my details had been found on a disc. I’m at my wits’ end here.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said they did not comment on the circumstances around individual security. However, last night former West Belfast MLA Sue Ramsey hit out at the PSNI and said she was “astounded to learn that the PSNI had the disc since January”.
“It’s a complete disgrace. I have advised the woman to contact her solicitor about this.
“However, I would also advise people to be vigilant and to be aware that the UDA are still targeting Catholics.”
Journalist: Anthony Neeson
IOL: Men charged with Sligo arms find
Two men were charged at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin this evening in connection with the discovery of explosives and a large quantity of ammunition in Sligo on Saturday.
Wayne Kelly (aged 23), of Cranmore Villas, Cranmore, Sligo was charged with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance - 21 kilogrammes of ammonium nitrate and icing sugar at his home on Saturday.
Gerard Mooney (aged 38), of St Anne’s Terrace, Sligo was charged with the unlawful possession of 5,060 rounds of assorted ammunition at his home on Saturday.
Mooney was also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 6.
Sergeant Conall Lee, Sligo, gave evidence of arresting Kelly at his home at 2.38pm on Saturday under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Sgt Lee said that Kelly was released from that arrest at 2.15pm today and rearrested for charging at the Special Criminal Court.
Detective Sergeant James Fox, Sligo gave evidence of arresting Mooney at his home at 4.44pm on Saturday. He said that Mooney was released from that arrest at 2.40pm today and rearrested for charging at the court.
The court remanded both men in custody until Friday when bail applications are expected to be made on their behalf.
Two men were charged at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin this evening in connection with the discovery of explosives and a large quantity of ammunition in Sligo on Saturday.
Wayne Kelly (aged 23), of Cranmore Villas, Cranmore, Sligo was charged with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance - 21 kilogrammes of ammonium nitrate and icing sugar at his home on Saturday.
Gerard Mooney (aged 38), of St Anne’s Terrace, Sligo was charged with the unlawful possession of 5,060 rounds of assorted ammunition at his home on Saturday.
Mooney was also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 6.
Sergeant Conall Lee, Sligo, gave evidence of arresting Kelly at his home at 2.38pm on Saturday under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Sgt Lee said that Kelly was released from that arrest at 2.15pm today and rearrested for charging at the Special Criminal Court.
Detective Sergeant James Fox, Sligo gave evidence of arresting Mooney at his home at 4.44pm on Saturday. He said that Mooney was released from that arrest at 2.40pm today and rearrested for charging at the court.
The court remanded both men in custody until Friday when bail applications are expected to be made on their behalf.
ic NorthernIreland - Former RUC Man Held After Sex Raid
AN EX-RUC sergeant being held in a Filipino prison accused of selling for sex girls as young as 11 could also face a second charge of trafficking women.
AN EX-RUC sergeant being held in a Filipino prison accused of selling for sex girls as young as 11 could also face a second charge of trafficking women.
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | 'Separation' for NI prisoners
A review of safety at Northern Ireland's main prison has recommended separating republican and loyalist prisoners.
A review of safety at Northern Ireland's main prison has recommended separating republican and loyalist prisoners.
7.9.03
Computing.Net - W32 RPC and Virus Warning Pop-up
**Some of you may have had the same experience I have had recently--you'll be on the net and all of a sudden you see this:
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Virus Warning !!
W32 RPC Virus Detected.
Click on OK
to Scan and Clean !
**According to my research on tech forums, this is nothing more than a pop-up ad put out by a company who wants you to buy their program. ALWAYS doublecheck for virus hoaxes at reputable sites when in doubt.
**Some of you may have had the same experience I have had recently--you'll be on the net and all of a sudden you see this:
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Virus Warning !!
W32 RPC Virus Detected.
Click on OK
to Scan and Clean !
**According to my research on tech forums, this is nothing more than a pop-up ad put out by a company who wants you to buy their program. ALWAYS doublecheck for virus hoaxes at reputable sites when in doubt.
Times Online - Sunday Times
MI5 set to take over all intelligence gathering in Northern Ireland
Liam Clarke
MI5 WILL be given control of national security in Northern Ireland, including the handling of all security force agents, under new proposals to be made to the government.
MI5 set to take over all intelligence gathering in Northern Ireland
Liam Clarke
MI5 WILL be given control of national security in Northern Ireland, including the handling of all security force agents, under new proposals to be made to the government.
The Observer | Special reports | Forest park 'to be dug up for IRA body'
Henry McDonald, Ireland editor
Sunday September 7, 2003
The Observer
An entire forest park will have to be dug up to find the body of a missing IRA victim, it was revealed this weekend.
The Irish government has received new information from the Provisionals about the whereabouts of one of the so-called 'Disappeared', Columba McVeigh, abducted by the IRA in 1975. McVeigh, 17, was seized from his home at Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, on Halloween. The IRA accused the teenager of working for the British security forces.
A senior source in the Irish government confirmed to The Observer that fresh intelligence has narrowed the location of McVeigh's body to a state-owned forest park in Co Monaghan. However, lack of precision about the burial site may result either in the park being dug up in its entirety or the hunt for McVeigh's remains being abandoned.
"They (the IRA) told us that Columba McVeigh was buried in a square mile of bogland in the forest park. The problem, we were told, was that they buried the victim's body at night. Given that there are actually 12 square miles of bogland, it would entail digging up most of the forest," the source said.
Human rights campaigner Father Denis Faul has described McVeigh as a victim of both sides in the Northern Ireland conflict. McVeigh had been used by British military intelligence to infiltrate the East Tyrone IRA and discover how the Provisionals were fleeing into the republic. After he realised the IRA had uncovered the plot, the teenager fled to Dublin and worked as a painter. Homesickness drove him back to Donaghmore, where an IRA squad was waiting. His body was thrown into a ready-made bog grave across the border in Monaghan.
The Irish source added that information on other missing victims, particularly those abducted, killed and buried in secret in South Armagh, was "lacking in total precision and frankly unhelpful". These include Charlie Armstrong, who disappeared in his native South Armagh 22 years ago. His daughter Anna McShane has talked about a "blanket of silence" that came down about her father's disappearance. It is assumed he antagonised the IRA's South Armagh Brigade.
Meanwhile the family of one of the three 'Disappeared' whose bodies have been recovered, Jean McConville, meet tomorrow to discuss funeral arrangements. Some family members want to bury their mother, who was seized, killed and disappeared in 1972, in the same graveyard as the IRA's main republican plot in west Belfast. They are determined their mother's coffin should be carried the full length of the Falls Road.
The McConville family, however, is deeply split, with other children coming under pressure for a more private service. They are waiting for DNA confirmation that remains found on a Co Louth beach a fortnight ago are indeed those of their mother.
Forensic investigations into two of the other 'Disappeared' whose bodies have been found - west Belfast men Brian McKinney and John McClory - can now reveal that both men were shot with one bullet. The Garda Technical Bureau has discovered that the pair were laid on top of each other in a shallow grave and then shot once, the bullet passing through both skulls. The duo disappeared in 1978 after they were abducted because the IRA believed they were carrying out armed robberies without its consent in the republican redoubt.
After they were taken across the border, the men were shot and buried in secret. The IRA claimed that McKinney and McClory had settled abroad - a similar cover story to the one republicans circulated about Jean McConville six years ago. Her reputation was smeared with allegations that she had left her family and gone to England with a British soldier.
Henry McDonald, Ireland editor
Sunday September 7, 2003
The Observer
An entire forest park will have to be dug up to find the body of a missing IRA victim, it was revealed this weekend.
The Irish government has received new information from the Provisionals about the whereabouts of one of the so-called 'Disappeared', Columba McVeigh, abducted by the IRA in 1975. McVeigh, 17, was seized from his home at Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, on Halloween. The IRA accused the teenager of working for the British security forces.
A senior source in the Irish government confirmed to The Observer that fresh intelligence has narrowed the location of McVeigh's body to a state-owned forest park in Co Monaghan. However, lack of precision about the burial site may result either in the park being dug up in its entirety or the hunt for McVeigh's remains being abandoned.
"They (the IRA) told us that Columba McVeigh was buried in a square mile of bogland in the forest park. The problem, we were told, was that they buried the victim's body at night. Given that there are actually 12 square miles of bogland, it would entail digging up most of the forest," the source said.
Human rights campaigner Father Denis Faul has described McVeigh as a victim of both sides in the Northern Ireland conflict. McVeigh had been used by British military intelligence to infiltrate the East Tyrone IRA and discover how the Provisionals were fleeing into the republic. After he realised the IRA had uncovered the plot, the teenager fled to Dublin and worked as a painter. Homesickness drove him back to Donaghmore, where an IRA squad was waiting. His body was thrown into a ready-made bog grave across the border in Monaghan.
The Irish source added that information on other missing victims, particularly those abducted, killed and buried in secret in South Armagh, was "lacking in total precision and frankly unhelpful". These include Charlie Armstrong, who disappeared in his native South Armagh 22 years ago. His daughter Anna McShane has talked about a "blanket of silence" that came down about her father's disappearance. It is assumed he antagonised the IRA's South Armagh Brigade.
Meanwhile the family of one of the three 'Disappeared' whose bodies have been recovered, Jean McConville, meet tomorrow to discuss funeral arrangements. Some family members want to bury their mother, who was seized, killed and disappeared in 1972, in the same graveyard as the IRA's main republican plot in west Belfast. They are determined their mother's coffin should be carried the full length of the Falls Road.
The McConville family, however, is deeply split, with other children coming under pressure for a more private service. They are waiting for DNA confirmation that remains found on a Co Louth beach a fortnight ago are indeed those of their mother.
Forensic investigations into two of the other 'Disappeared' whose bodies have been found - west Belfast men Brian McKinney and John McClory - can now reveal that both men were shot with one bullet. The Garda Technical Bureau has discovered that the pair were laid on top of each other in a shallow grave and then shot once, the bullet passing through both skulls. The duo disappeared in 1978 after they were abducted because the IRA believed they were carrying out armed robberies without its consent in the republican redoubt.
After they were taken across the border, the men were shot and buried in secret. The IRA claimed that McKinney and McClory had settled abroad - a similar cover story to the one republicans circulated about Jean McConville six years ago. Her reputation was smeared with allegations that she had left her family and gone to England with a British soldier.
Times Online - Sunday Times
Gardai to dig for body of teenager killed by IRA
Liam Clarke, Northern Ireland Editor
GARDAI will start digging tomorrow at a bog in Monaghan for the remains of Columba McVeigh, one of Northern Ireland’s disappeared, according to senior security sources. The 17-year-old was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA almost 28 years ago.
Vera McVeigh, Columba’s 78-year-old mother, confirmed yesterday that she had been told by gardai and by John Wilson, the head of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, that the dig is due to start early tomorrow morning.
“The gardai are ringing me at 11am to tell me what the progress is. Please God they will find him,” said Vera McVeigh, who lives in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.
Her son was abducted on November 1, 1975, a few days after he had returned home from working in Dublin as a painter. The IRA did not concede its involvement in his disappearance until 1999, when it issued a statement admitting that it had murdered and secretly buried nine people. Until then Vera McVeigh had hoped her son was still alive.
“He was the divil after girls and his father was a bit strait-laced in that regard, so when he disappeared I was thinking along those lines, that he wanted a bit more freedom,” she said.
About a month ago the IRA passed on new information about McVeigh’s remains to the Irish government but the Department of Justice did not make this available to Wilson’s commission until last Wednesday, according to a senior official.
The department was also given information on the location of the body of Jean McConville, a mother of 10 abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972. Her body is believed to have been discovered accidentally on Shelling Hill Strand just over a week ago. The IRA’s information had suggested that it was more than half a mile away on nearby Templetown beach.
The inaccurate and misleading character of the IRA information in the case of McConville puts a question mark over what it has said about McVeigh’s remains, but the authorities feel it is detailed enough to merit a new dig.
Father Alex Reid, a Redemptorist priest who has acted as a go-between for the Irish government in its dealings with the IRA, was involved in the contacts which led to the new information being given to the Irish authorities.
Vera McVeigh said: “Father Reid rings me regularly and just over a week ago he told me there was new information.”
When the IRA admitted the murder of McVeigh and other “disappeared” they said the body had been buried in a bog at Bragan, near Emyvale in Co Monaghan, which had not been worked since the 1970s.
Gardai excavated around a third of an acre of the remote bog, which had to be approached up a track on foot. Mechanical diggers excavated 8ft pits, and metal detectors and sniffer dogs were brought in, all without success.
It is understood that the information recently given by the IRA covers a narrower area and is thought to come from one of those involved in the burial.
“They are aiming to dig for a week or less,” said Vera McVeigh. “It is not vague directions. I am pleased that they might find Columba but I am nearly past being anything. He is still dead, that is the bottom line — how good can it be?”
Gardai to dig for body of teenager killed by IRA
Liam Clarke, Northern Ireland Editor
GARDAI will start digging tomorrow at a bog in Monaghan for the remains of Columba McVeigh, one of Northern Ireland’s disappeared, according to senior security sources. The 17-year-old was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA almost 28 years ago.
Vera McVeigh, Columba’s 78-year-old mother, confirmed yesterday that she had been told by gardai and by John Wilson, the head of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, that the dig is due to start early tomorrow morning.
“The gardai are ringing me at 11am to tell me what the progress is. Please God they will find him,” said Vera McVeigh, who lives in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.
Her son was abducted on November 1, 1975, a few days after he had returned home from working in Dublin as a painter. The IRA did not concede its involvement in his disappearance until 1999, when it issued a statement admitting that it had murdered and secretly buried nine people. Until then Vera McVeigh had hoped her son was still alive.
“He was the divil after girls and his father was a bit strait-laced in that regard, so when he disappeared I was thinking along those lines, that he wanted a bit more freedom,” she said.
About a month ago the IRA passed on new information about McVeigh’s remains to the Irish government but the Department of Justice did not make this available to Wilson’s commission until last Wednesday, according to a senior official.
The department was also given information on the location of the body of Jean McConville, a mother of 10 abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972. Her body is believed to have been discovered accidentally on Shelling Hill Strand just over a week ago. The IRA’s information had suggested that it was more than half a mile away on nearby Templetown beach.
The inaccurate and misleading character of the IRA information in the case of McConville puts a question mark over what it has said about McVeigh’s remains, but the authorities feel it is detailed enough to merit a new dig.
Father Alex Reid, a Redemptorist priest who has acted as a go-between for the Irish government in its dealings with the IRA, was involved in the contacts which led to the new information being given to the Irish authorities.
Vera McVeigh said: “Father Reid rings me regularly and just over a week ago he told me there was new information.”
When the IRA admitted the murder of McVeigh and other “disappeared” they said the body had been buried in a bog at Bragan, near Emyvale in Co Monaghan, which had not been worked since the 1970s.
Gardai excavated around a third of an acre of the remote bog, which had to be approached up a track on foot. Mechanical diggers excavated 8ft pits, and metal detectors and sniffer dogs were brought in, all without success.
It is understood that the information recently given by the IRA covers a narrower area and is thought to come from one of those involved in the burial.
“They are aiming to dig for a week or less,” said Vera McVeigh. “It is not vague directions. I am pleased that they might find Columba but I am nearly past being anything. He is still dead, that is the bottom line — how good can it be?”
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Bloody Sunday Inquiry resumes
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry resumes in London on Monday.
The inquiry is investigating the deaths of 13 civilians killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire during a civil rights march in Londonderry in January 1972. A 14th person died later.
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry resumes in London on Monday.
The inquiry is investigating the deaths of 13 civilians killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire during a civil rights march in Londonderry in January 1972. A 14th person died later.
Welcome to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry Web Site
Here is a good site for you to research the progress of the Bloody Sunday inquiry, which resumes tomorrow.
Here is a good site for you to research the progress of the Bloody Sunday inquiry, which resumes tomorrow.
ic NorthernIreland - Peacemaker Nun Says Goodbye
Peacemaker Nun Says Goodbye Sep 5 2003
AN Anglican nun who spent more than 30 years pioneering for peace in Northern Ireland has returned to her former convent, aged 86.
Sister Anna Hoare, who was honoured with an MBE for her cross-community work on the peaceline in Belfast is to spend her remaining days in the enclosed convent in Oxford.
She made her home in Belfast following an appeal by Mother Teresa in the early 70's for Anglican nuns to join her Missionaries of Charity and live in the Province as a witness to Christian unity.
Eight sisters came to Belfast from Great Britain- four Anglican and four Catholic - but, gradually, the others were withdrawn.
Only Sr Anna remained, setting up her base in Hope House on the peace line, at the troubled intersection of the two communities on Alliance Avenue in north Belfast.
In her 31 years in Belfast she became involved in numerous projects promoting peace and reconciliation- initially sending children from deprived Catholic and Protestant areas on holidays together to England or to places of Christian witness like the Focolare Movement's little town in Italy.
She became fascinated by the idea of integrated education and, in All Children Together, threw herself into fundraising for Lagan College, the first integrated college in Northern-Ireland, which opened in 1981 with 28 elevenyearolds and today has over 1,000 students.
A school chaplain, Helen Killick, says her job exists because of Sr Anna's vision for a joint Catholic and Protestant chaplaincy for the school and all the fundraising she has done to make it secure.
Sr Anna only ever had the use of one eye and, some years ago, through glaucoma, she went completely blind.
Peacemaker Nun Says Goodbye Sep 5 2003
AN Anglican nun who spent more than 30 years pioneering for peace in Northern Ireland has returned to her former convent, aged 86.
Sister Anna Hoare, who was honoured with an MBE for her cross-community work on the peaceline in Belfast is to spend her remaining days in the enclosed convent in Oxford.
She made her home in Belfast following an appeal by Mother Teresa in the early 70's for Anglican nuns to join her Missionaries of Charity and live in the Province as a witness to Christian unity.
Eight sisters came to Belfast from Great Britain- four Anglican and four Catholic - but, gradually, the others were withdrawn.
Only Sr Anna remained, setting up her base in Hope House on the peace line, at the troubled intersection of the two communities on Alliance Avenue in north Belfast.
In her 31 years in Belfast she became involved in numerous projects promoting peace and reconciliation- initially sending children from deprived Catholic and Protestant areas on holidays together to England or to places of Christian witness like the Focolare Movement's little town in Italy.
She became fascinated by the idea of integrated education and, in All Children Together, threw herself into fundraising for Lagan College, the first integrated college in Northern-Ireland, which opened in 1981 with 28 elevenyearolds and today has over 1,000 students.
A school chaplain, Helen Killick, says her job exists because of Sr Anna's vision for a joint Catholic and Protestant chaplaincy for the school and all the fundraising she has done to make it secure.
Sr Anna only ever had the use of one eye and, some years ago, through glaucoma, she went completely blind.
