PIRA

Republicans and the test for prosecution

The Public Prosecution Service has a two step test for prosecution. First, they consider whether or not the evidence which can be adduced in court is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. Secondly they consider if prosecution is required in the “public interest”.

Therefore there could be a case where, on the face of it,there is  compelling evidence against X but the prosecution does not take place because it is not in the public interest. This includes “where details may be made public that could harm sources of information, international relations or national security”. [Sometimes referred to as the ‘Shawcross doctrine’]

It does not require a great leap of imagination to consider that members of Sinn Fein/IRA may already have benefitted from this second limb or may do so in the very near future.

What could be more in the public interest than the protection of “the peace process”?

Let’s watch.

Mairia Cahill -some words of caution

Those of you who read my blog would know my views on Sinn Fein and PIRA. However there are some disturbing aspects of this case.

  • Mairia was a republican
  • She was related to Joe Cahill, a founder of the Provisional IRA and close friend of Adams
  • The alleged rape took place in 1997
  • The alleged internal inquiry or whatever one wants to call it, took place when Joe Cahill was still alive
  • Would not Joe have wanted to protect his grand niece?
  • She made no complaint until an unknown date , perhaps four to five years ago, Over ten years after the event.
  • A decision to prosecute was made, therefore someone in the PPS thought that there was a reasonable prospect of success.
  • It is alleged that the Director did not involve himself in the prosecutorial decision
  • Mairia ultimately declined to give evidence against Martin Morris, the reason for this is not known
  • Consequently he was [ rightly] acquitted
  • She now wishes to make the same case in public and in the media which she was unwilling to make before a jury
  • If we are ever to become a humane a sophisticated society, we need to observe the rule of law.
  • Trial by media , even Nolan, is not the way to go.

Those rushing to judgement for whatever their personal beliefs ought to consider these matters.

Sex and the Shinner

The deal was that if Sinn Fein/PIRA stopped bombing England then they would get seats in government.

The body language/language of Adams and McGuinness ever since is that of the pupil who is confident that the Head will not discipline him , because he is a snitch.

However, as time has moved on , the guns and the semtex are  [mostly] gone. The war is over and Gerry and Martin are beginning to wonder if Perfidious Albion has done the dirty on them  and that they are not going to be protected after all. Hence McGuinness’s comment after the arrest of Adams. It was a message to the Brits.

This society will never move on until those responsible for hundreds of deaths are prosecuted.

Terrorism in the UK

To those affected by PIRA’s use of Libyan semtex anywhere in the UK, I suggest that we make more noise, that we question why Cameron has not secured the same rights for us as for our US “Allies”;that we draw his ambivalence and sloth to a wider audience and that we give him no peace until payment is secured.

Contact me on this blog if you agree, let’s build up a head of steam!

Docklands Victims Association

If you want to see British society at its best, visit the DVA site. Two people were killed and 39 injured in this 1996 PIRA bomb which blew John Major back to the negotiating table without PIRA having to give up its weapons. Despite death, mutilation and lack of interest by successive governments, the people of DVA have reached out to others less fortunate than themselves. Impressive and humbling.

Libya’s semtex did not discriminate between white, black, Christian and Muslim.

Martin McGuinness and Barra McGrory

On 22 November 2013, the DPP, Barra McGrory, requested the PSNI to investigate alleged British Army killings, based on allegations made in a BBC Panorama documentary. On 18 May 2014 I asked the DPP to conduct a similar exercise, based on allegations made by Ed Moloney, in his book, that McGuinness had approved the murder of my parents. McGrory wrote to me on 28 May 2014, refusing to so do. He said:”I do not therefore consider that any exercise of the power bestowed on me as DPP to require an investigation is necessary in this case”. He wished me well in my quest for justice. That , as far as he was concerned , was that.  I pointed out by return that at all material times , he was McGuinness’s legal adviser. I expressed surprise that he had made the decision personally. He replied , denying that he had made “any final decision in respect of the issue”. [When is a decision not a decision?]

He then delegated responsibility for the decision to the Senior Assistant Director. Despite promises, I still await a decision.

The affair highlights two important issues.

1. The poor quality of decision making by Barra McGrory whilst acting as a law officer.

2. The contrast between the twenty four hour decision in the Army case and the five month delay in mine.

Libya

Diane Dodds, MEP, has promised me that she will :

“make every effort to ensure that the policy of the European Commission and the External Action Service… has at its core an awareness of the rights of innocent victims of Libyan funded IRA violence.”

Watch out for results soon!

Libya

Many years ago, Libya , through Gadafy, supplied PIRA with semtex. This explosive was used to kill and maim in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain. In June 2006, a class action was taken. It was settled for USA citizens alone. Read here how eight years on, the British Government has failed to secure compensation for its citizens.