Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

Posted on March 3, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 1 Comment

This morning, on BBC’s Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, I listened to yesterday’s Vixen blog writer, Julie Hambleton give an honest and moving interview in which she talked about her experience of fighting for justice on behalf of her sister, Maxine, who was murdered due to being blown up by an IRA bomb in Birmingham. Julie has along with others been fighting the might of a political and criminal justice system, weighted against them in respect of trying to bring those who planted the bombs- and those who directed the operation, to a place where they are convicted in a court of law. She was frustrated, understandably, by the recent revelations surrounding the OTR’s and by what she termed a “dirty deal” between Sinn Féin, the IRA, and the British Government.

Kenny Donaldson, from Innocent Victims United was also on the programme. In response to a question asked by host Wendy Austin, as to whether the collective of victims he represents believes that soldiers involved in the killings on Bloody Sunday should be prosecuted; he stated their position – that anyone involved in breaking the law, should have the evidence placed before a court. He said that while everyone is entitled to a fair trial, if there is evidence to suggest that people have been involved in crimes, then they should be prosecuted accordingly. It was a welcome step.

Welcome, because in the last few days, there have been calls in the public domain from people such as Peter Hain, that soldiers involved in these particular shootings should not be pursued in light of the “On the Run” letters.

The logic in this is perverse. You are either for the rule of law, or you are against it. If you abide by the law, then you should believe unequivocally that if people are involved in acts of murder, then those people should of course be pursued. And, if the evidence exists, they should of course be prosecuted. And, if found guilty, then they should be sentenced accordingly.   Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Victims of murder are entitled under ECHR legislation to have a proper and full investigation into their death. History has shown us in Northern Ireland, that these rights have not always been afforded to victims. That is wrong – but does it mean that we should all just draw a line in the sand, and bury our heads in it also?

People are right to warn victims, who have hoped for a much better service from the agencies supposed to uphold the rule of law and order, that the likelihood is, in a large number of cases, that there is a very real danger that they will not see justice done, much less be seen to be done. A handful of pre 98 cases have been prosecuted since the Agreement. However, does this mean that the agencies responsible should stop all evidence gathering?

Perhaps one way to put pressure on the relevant agencies is to adopt a different approach. Community inquiries, and mock trials have been staged in the past, in order to both test evidence and gather it. They have been effective tools at highlighting gaps in the criminal justice system, and leads that have not been followed. Perhaps some victims organisations could methodically work through past cases, and hold open days for witnesses to come forward, and document evidence accordingly. Of course, it shouldn’t be left to victims, but in the absence of any proper or thorough investigations into the murder of their loved ones, it is a solution which may suit some.

Relatives of those shot dead by the Parachute Regiment in Ballymurphy are calling on both the British and Irish Government to fund a panel chaired by former police Ombudsman, Nuala O Loan to hear and assess evidence related to the event. Styled on the Hillsborough Inquiry Panel, Phil Scratton and lawyer Gareth Pierce would make up the remainder of those assessing evidence. In the absence of either Government providing funds, either those who have been requested should provide their services for free, or the families should mount a fundraising campaign. They shouldn’t have to, of course, but such is life in Northern Ireland. If you want anything done in relation to matters of justice for murder, you must do it yourself.

The Omagh families proved this when they were let down by almost everyone in positions of power. Undeterred, and looking for solutions, they took those they believed responsible to civil proceedings. It was costly, and it took years, but justice, in some way, in a civil setting, was seen to be done. Victims have recourse to this route, when they know who the perpetrators are, and if they can garner the funds.  It is much more difficult for those who do not have information in relation to who murdered their loved ones.

There is another way of dealing with this On the Run debacle. If the British Government has committed itself to not pursuing certain people it believes to have been a member of an illegal organisation, or of committing criminal acts, then the Irish Government could assess the information, and pursue those still living south of the border, and charge with whatever evidence exists. The Irish State has a history in not extraditing people in relation to such activity over the years – but – if, as it has stated, it supports victims of violence, this avenue is available to them to do something about it.

Kenny Donaldson was right today in stating that anyone who commits an illegal act should be investigated. That is the fundamental right to justice that all victims should have. There should be no distinction made. Murder is murder. It shouldn’t matter whether you were shot by an IRA man or woman, by a member of a Loyalist Group, as a result of collusion by either Government, or by the British Army. If a perpetrator of violence broke the law, then they should be held accountable within its realms of delivering justice. Once the law is cherrypicked, then it might as well not exist. Victims who are no longer living as a result of violence perpetrated upon them all bleed the same. Their relatives all hurt the same. And the people who killed them should be brought to book, all equally pursued.

For many years now, I have watched and listened to the victims sector on all sides, champion the cause of one side;but refuse to condemn the other. This is also wrong. Wouldn’t it be inherently more powerful if victims championed not only their rights, but defended the rights of others to do the same? How powerful a message that would be to those who prefer to sweep murder under the carpet in pursuit of a fabricated imperfect peace. How much more potent a message would be delivered if all victims stood shoulder to shoulder, and fought tooth and nail for every persons attempt to have the truth outed in relation to the murder of their loved one?

That is why Kenny Donaldson’s message was so important today. Unequivocally sending out a message that violence is wrong, and that if you break the law, you should be pursued.

The best thing that victims could do to make their voices heard, is to shelve their own prejudices, and fight, not only for themselves, but for every last victim out there, no matter what the circumstances of anyone’s murder. No matter who the perpetrators. Murder is murder. That is the message that should be sent to all of those in positions of power.

Benjamin Franklin once said “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
Collectively, victims have a much more powerful voice than individually fractured ones. Use it to highlight any and all injustices. If the agencies will not achieve justice or closure for you, make them aware that you will hold them to account, on behalf of every single last person to whom justice has so far, been denied.

Those who can no longer speak for themselves, deserve nothing less.  

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Justice 4 the 21 “Their silence and inaction is insulting”

Posted on March 2, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 1 Comment

On 21 November 1974 our beloved sister, Maxine, who was aged just 18,  went out to meet some friends to hand out some party invitations at a local pub in Birmingham. 15 minutes after entering the pub she had been blown up by an IRA bomb that had been planted inside. That night, 21 innocent people were murdered, leaving 182 survivors with life changing injuries.

My brother, Brian, offered to take her to the city that evening. Brian was the last person in our family to see our sister alive. He has been riddled with guilt ever since believing that he delivered Maxine to her death.

Maxine was a vibrant, intelligent, kind and generous young lady… the epitome of a big sister.

She had just returned from France grape picking in the Champagne vineyards to improve her French for her ‘A’ levels. After she was killed she received a letter of acceptance to study Law at University. The irony is that she has been so severely let down by the very institution she so much wanted to represent.

The horror of her death lives with us every waking hour. The fact that the authorities appear to have an aspersion to investigate and find the perpetrators makes our suffering and grief greater. The inaction of West Midlands Police and the Government, is as iniquitous as the crime itself.

In 2011 I set up an e-petition which quickly grew into what has now become known as the, Justice4the21 campaign (Mike Watts, established this name), where a group of fantastic extraordinary people  from Birmingham and all over the UK have come together to  support us and put pressure on the UK Government and West Midlands Police to do what they should have done decades ago… to investigate and seek out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

From Justice4the21 campaign’s inception, our supporters, and family have been writing to their MPs and senior politicians in both the House of Commons and Lords as well as senior officers at West Midlands Police.

The majority of the responses have been homogeneous. A few appeared to be very supportive, only for them to not follow through with what they initially proposed.

Last year I wrote to five Lords. Only one responded, stating that my request for him to assist us was out of his remit but he would make enquiries on our behalf. Within a fortnight I heard again from him, informing me that due to the lapse in time, there was nothing that he could do to assist us.

I responded immediately, informing him that time is not the issue where mass murder is concerned, as there is no statute of limitations on murder in the UK (thank goodness).

The only issue is that those who are in a position of power, who have the resources and facilities to do something to bring about justice, choose to do nothing. This, to all our supporters, the survivors and the families of the murdered is tantamount to moral and ethical turpitude.

But at least this Lord replied, albeit unsatisfactorily from our point of view.

I wrote to the Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper four times last year over a period of six months, to her constituency office and to the Houses of Parliament (all recorded delivery). I am still awaiting a response.

I also wrote to Ed Miliband. A reply came from his office, which indicates that he did not read my letter, but his ‘office’ saw fit to dismiss my correspondence. They did this so by informing me that they were forwarding on my concerns to, guess who…. yes, Yvette Cooper.

This, despite me highlighting in my letter the utter lack of courtesy demonstrated by her.

This is just one example of how we have been continually ignored and treated as an inconvenience. To think, these people want to get into Government to run our country and want us to vote for them!

Another prime example is from the interview I gave on the BBC’s Sunday Politics show nearly three weeksago. When pressed by Peter Burns for an answer on why high ranking members of their parties had not responded to our correspondence, both the Justice Minister Jeremy Wright and John Spellar MP both clearly stated they would “certainly look into that.”

Guess what? To date we are still waiting.

Both these politicians changed the subject to refer instead to the release of the Birmingham Six, dismissing the fact that here remains one of the biggest injustices in England yet to be solved.

If anyone would like to write to these gentlemen to remind them of their ‘words’ asking when we may get some kind of reply and/or recognition, it would be most appreciated.

The most important point Peter Burns raised was when he asked Mr Wright: “Another big problem is that the case is covered by one of those Public Interest Immunity Certificates, which is like a guarantee of silence in effect for 75 years…. when you have such secrecy like that it is bound to embolden those who have alleged conspiracy theories. Surely we need a bright light on the inquiry as Julie said? “

Mr Wright replied: “Well there are huge challenges when dealing with security information and I agree with John (Spellar MP) that shouldn’t prevent West Midlands Police looking again if they believe they have new evidence or even if they have evidence that wasn’t properly scrutinised in the first place, it doesn’t prevent them doing that and that’s what they should do if such evidence comes to light.”

What Mr Wright failed to highlight, is that the Public Interest Immunity Certificate holds all the answers to our questions and holds all the relevant names and data on the truth.

Our question is this. Why is this file being kept closed for so long, if the police and the Government have nothing to hide?

Would it not be financially and judicially more prudent to make these files available to all concerned parties as a way expediting justice that will lead to the truth Or is this too simple?

Or do these files have the potential to open up a Pandora’s box that could put certain individuals and organisations in a light that they would prefer not to be switched on?

Where does that leave the relatives of the 21 innocents who were so brutally murdered? What about the 182 who survived and have to live with these horrific memories day in day out?

The benchmark of any civilized society can be measured in a number of ways, one of those being, by the quality of its justice system.

Bearing this in mind, if our Government and West Midlands Police are not prepared to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators what does this say about how politicians and police force, view ‘ordinary folk’ who are murdered en masse?

Their silence and inaction is insulting. To be treated with such irreverence by the very people who should be protecting us and looking for the perpetrators is reprehensible.

We need support.  Details below.

Julie Hambleton

Justice4the21

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Private : Internal Sinn Féin Minutes. Adams “I wish it would all go away”.

Posted on February 27, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 9 Comments

Today Vixens asked Gerry Adams TD on #AskAdams with @impartialrep, whether he had ever wished the Abortion discussion within his party would go away.  While he did answer,  he didn’t address the content of the question. His answer was that members within Sinn Fein are free to discuss any issue.  Vixens has been looking through internal party minutes,  and we found these ones from 2000 interesting. We have published the salient points below. Ed.

“We’ve had a very consistent position down the years. Sinn Fein is not in favour of abortion and we resisted any attempt to bring the British 1967 Abortion Act to the north.” 2012 Martin Mc Guinness

…Sinn Féin is opposed to the extension of this legislation to the North. Mitchel Mc Loughlin June 2000

A set of internal minutes of a meeting held by Sinn Féin’s Ard Chomhairle in 2000, give a never before seen insight into the way in which the party conducts its internal top table discussions.

Held in advance of the party’s Ard Fheis that year, the minutes largely focus on preparations for the annual conference, and their stance on Abortion.

2000 was the year in which debate took place in Northern Ireland regarding whether to extend the 1967 Abortion act. The Irish Government had published its ‘Green Paper’ on the issue the previous year.

Of note in these minutes are the following comments from Gerry Adams   “Are we for or against the 1967 Act?”

On reading the minutes, the party’s ruling body do not appear to know what their stance is on the issue. Abortion has long been a bone of contention within Sinn Féin, causing debates at Ard Fheiseanna, and division amongst its members. Only last year, Peadar Toibín was suspended from the party for six months for voting against the whip on the issue.

Adams continues “We need to say we oppose extension of 1967 Act”.

Another Ard Chomairle member, Anne Speed, who at the time was also a driving force in the Sinn Féin Womens Department disagrees with Adams, stating “We can’t say we are against the 1967 Act, We should say we can’t implement abortion if it goes beyond our stated policy. To outrightly reject 1967 is the wrong argument.”

Adams states, “I want to be told how to answer this if asked. I’m frustrated because we have a fudge and we don’t need a fudge”.

The Green Paper was further discussed in the context of motions received from cumainn within Sinn Féin for the forthcoming Ard Fheis. We have included the following seven options proposed at the time by the Irish Government, so the discussion at the Ard Chomhairle meeting makes sense to the reader

(i) An absolute constitutional ban on abortion;
(ii) An amendment of the constitutional provisions so as to restrict the application of the X case;
(iii) The retention of the status quo;
(iv) The retention of the constitutional status quo with legislative restatement of the prohibition on abortion;
(v) Legislation to regulate abortion in circumstances defined by the X case;
(vi) A reversion to the position as it pertained prior to 1983;
(vii) Permitting abortion on grounds beyond those specified in the X case.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TAOISEACH, 1999

Anne Speed proposes backing option 7, until “the party takes a different view”

Adams responds “A difficult issue. By election in Tyrone pending. Option 2 and 5 are safer for us.”

He is reminded by Speed what the Sinn Fein policy is, but continues

“What is the safest position for the party to take. My first reading is that we can’t go for 1 and 3, maybe not 2 or 4. Can we go for 5 to regulate it in circumstances? I don’t know what 6 was. …”

The Party are obviously mindful that any position they take in abortion may impact on their electoral position – note that Adams is reminding the AC that a by election is looming in Tyrone. Yet what is also clear is that there is no discussion within the party about the impact of their stance on women – the discussion is purely around what the best position to take which will have the lesser impact on the party.

In response to a motion from a branch of Sinn Fein proposing a party forum to discuss the issue, party member Daithí Doolan states “The motivation behind this motion is that they want a big debate and a return to an anti-abortion policy.”

Adams response is interesting, and is possibly a glimpse into what his private views are on both abortion and some party members “I wish it would go away. You want to take this off the clár. We have a very progressive position which stretches me. I prefer it would go away and comrades be more sensible.”

Further issues regarding other aspects of the forthcoming Ard Fheis are discussed. An interesting discussion which sheds a light on how Sinn Fein are ever mindful of the public view comes from Mitchel Mc Laughlin. “A note of caution around stage managing of the Basques, given their current internal dissension.”

A special conference is discussed, in the context of coalitions presumably. Mitchel again comments “I personally think we would be mad to take this decision before an election. People are concerned that the leadership is being too cute about this…”

Micheal Mc Donnacha’s comment is also interesting, given the fact that this meeting took place in 2000. “We need political discussion to ask is it in our interests to be in coalition with right wing parties. We need to consider all the options.”

Over the next few days, Vixens will publish photographic evidence of the minutes in question, giving both our readers, and cumainn members of Sinn Féin the opportunity to see for themselves how a meeting of Sinn Féins Ard Chomhairle is conducted.

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Questions to be asked about OTR’s

Posted on February 26, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 3 Comments

Areas that in our opinion the media should be scrutinising regarding “On the Runs”

1.  When the Police were looking at the lists of OTR’s, dd they do a full criminal record check on the names on the list provided to NIO?

2.  Did the NIO make available to the Police full intelligence disclosures in relation to the individuals?

It is Vixens understanding that the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was asked to look at a number of individuals and provide information as to whether there would be a “realistic prospect of conviction” in relation to individuals “On the Run”.  It was when information came back that there likely would not be a realistic prospect of conviction that individual letters were issued, citing that they were not being sought in connection with any activity.

This leads to a number of other questions.  The PPS make a decision on information made available to them.  Were FULL files containing ALL information in relation to these individuals given to the PPS?  If not, why not?  Who withheld information – if at all? Were investigations, and persons cross referenced in relation to matters which they were suspected of being involved in?

Was the assessment based on warrants only?

Were IRA membership charges and potential for same taken into account?  Surely if people went on the run, most did so because of allegiance to an organisation.  Were membership charges considered alongside individual names?

Some of these individuals had not one warrant, but several against their names.  One such person, who returned after receiving a guarantee, had eight warrants at one time  for their arrest.  Was all information made available to PPS in cases like this?  Did the NIO provide detail in terms of intelligence against persons?

Some people alleged to have named in a deal by Sinn Fein to the British Government to ensure that they would no longer be sought or arrested, according to Henry Mc Donald in 2002 were

· Charlie Caufield, wanted in connection with the Enniskillen bomb, which killed 11 people.

· Michael Rogan, chief suspect for the 1996 IRA bomb explosion at Army headquarters in Lisburn, killing a soldier and injuring 31 people.

· Michael Dixon, a former British soldier sought by the German and Northern Ireland police over the 1996 IRA mortar attack on Osnabrück.

· Liam Averill, who escaped from the Maze prison dressed as a woman during a party for prisoners’ children in 1997.

· Owen Carron, the election agent for IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands’s successful campaign to become an MP. Carron fled to the Irish Republic after being arrested over possession of an AK47 rifle.

· Robert ‘Fats’ Campbell wanted for questioning over the 1980 killing of SAS Captain Herbert Westmacott during a gun battle with the IRA in north Belfast.

· Dermot Finucane, the brother of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, had been on the run in the Republic of Ireland for almost two decades.

Vixens is aware that at least two of the people named on this list did indeed return to Belfast to live in the early 2000’s.  We are unaware if all received a letter in relation to their situation.

We do know that others did.  Sinn Féin have previously confirmed that the following two women were told they no longer being sought, and were in receipt of assurances were Rita O Hare, and Eibhlin Glenholmes (who returned to Belfast in Summer 2000) .  

There are surely valid questions which require answers from the British Government and the NIO.  In advance of any proposed public inquiry, there should be as much full and frank disclosure as possible.

 

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All victims have the right to justice, and nobody should be above the law. Ann Travers.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 2 Comments

In the wake of further revelations regarding ‘On the Runs’, tonight’s platform piece comes from Ann Travers, who speaks movingly about the effect her sisters murder and attempted murder of her parents has had on her and her family to this day.  The recent debacle, while being played out by politicians in the media, is having a devastating impact on many victims at home.  Most of those do not have a voice. We are glad to be able to host a piece from Ann, who has campaigned and worked hard on victims issues.  Other victims have also contacted us today, extremely distressed at further OTR news.  Most are worried about obtaining justice, something which has kept focus for many victims, while trying to rebuild their lives.  Others are worried that the letters issued by the British Government to a select group of people will mean that similar arguments will be made in favour of blanket amnesty and immunity from prosecution, or that it will now be used to shelve investigations such as that into Bloody Sunday.  All victims of all atrocities during past decades deserve to be listened to.  Vixens calls on all those who are in positions of responsibility to hear them, and to act in a transparent way regarding making decisions which affect them, in the future.  It is despicable that side deals can be done by politicians, agencies and administrations, and that the people who are affected most by those decisions, those people who have already suffered imaginably, are continuously kept in the dark.  Ed.

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On Sunday evening I left my elderly mother after spending the weekend with her. We had had many conversations including one about Mary and how she brutally lost her young life. She didn’t only lose her future – getting married, having children, progressing in her teaching career and spreading such joy every time she played the concert harp – we – as her family, lost our relationship with her and all that it held.

I miss her particularly now as I deal with various health issues. In 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and watched with envy as I saw one sister accompany another while she went for results, scans and treatment. It struck me just much I missed Mary not there to hold my hand and support me, to show her my mastectomy site and discuss reconstruction, and how I missed her recently while I waited for a CAT scan to see if the cancer has returned. How I wish I could have her to accompany me for those results, sharing a coffee and a sandwich in the hospital cafe and how I missed her when last month I went for genetic testing and talked through my family history.  I felt the tears sting my eyes but I held them back as I told the genetic counsellor that my sister was murdered in 1984 and I don’t know if she would have developed cancer. Oh God.   I miss Mary so much!   I know however that her presence is always with me, but I yearn for that physical being and to hold her. There are some events in a girls life when she needs a sister. The IRA ensured I wouldn’t have mine.

My parents, especially my Dad lived with the guilt of what happened on the 8th April 1984, not only for Mary’s loss but the subsequent effect it had on my brothers and I.  Mum lost her best friend.  Mary had reached the lovely age of adulthood when true friendships thrive with parents. We all lost our privacy, having to have 24hr police bodyguards, I remain eternally grateful to the men and women of the RUC who looked after us and had light hearted banter with me a young teenager. Most of all Mum and Dad lost their family, or how it should have been. The pain and distrust of what had happened and what was going on around us drove us all away. My Dad passed away peacefully on the 29th December 2009, leaving Mum with none of her family immediately around her. I can’t do the simple things with mum on a whim, and I miss that.   I can’t just pop in for a cuppa and to check on my lovely mum, sit and watch an Agatha Christie or Inspector Morse, it’s a 2 hour drive.

So as we remembered Mary and Dad as we often do, I felt that familiar emptiness and sadness as i said goodbye to her. Mum didn’t want to leave her home and why should she? She has a companion when we aren’t there during the week so we know that she is safe but this wasn’t how it was meant to be.

The IRA by choosing to attempt to murder my parents and succeeding on murdering Mary saw to that, the ripple effects are far reaching on all of us –  30 years later from the actual event.

Yesterday’s news about John Downey and today’s media debates about the “On The Run’s” and who knew what, has plunged me into an utter depression. No matter how hard I try to look on the bright side and continually speak up for acknowledgement and no justification of any murder, I feel so desperately sad for our loss and the loss of thousands of others. The politicians who we trusted to look after our best interests, especially at such a vulnerable time as the Belfast/Good Friday agreement; have let us down and those who we love, but who arnet here any more as the result of others actions.

All victims have the right to justice, there is no excuse for murder or severely injuring people, and nobody should be above the law.

This afternoon I listened to Stephen Gault describe on Talk back how he was injured in the Enniskillen bomb at the age of 18 and came around to see his 49 year old dad lying beside him his head “opened up like an egg” . The horror of that day and witnessing his father decapitated has never left Stephen and for years he and many others have campaigned and searched for justice for that day. The pain in his voice was evident, at the fear that due to these recent events they may never get justice. Eleven people were murdered that day and a 12th victim Ronnie Drew went into a comma, never recovered and died 13 years later. Who has the right to deny these families justice? Who has the right to deny any family justice? Don’t the dead have rights too? If it is discovered that Mary’s murderer was one of the OnThe Run’s will she also have no right to justice? Are families to be drip fed this constant re traumatising? Are they to continually be presented with devastating news via the media? Will no one take responsibility and ensure widows, widowers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, and those injured aren’t impacted so cruelly and left alone to weep and feel disregarded?  Because that is what is happening.  People are suffering, mostly in silence, in homes, right at this minute.

In the meantime, I will spend another short weekend with my heart broken Mother, awaiting that day for when some have a moral conscience , when they apologise with no preconditions for robbing our lives, when they say there was no justification for any murder, give information which will lead to justice for my innocent sister Mary and all victims and be prepared to serve their paltry 2 years. The strength and love for my sister is keeping me going, as I know the love others have for their families keeps them going for the same reason.  Holding our politicians, and those who chose to commit crimes like the murder of my sister to account.

Ultimately though, nothing will bring our loved ones back and our lives that should have been.

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What’s that Peter Robinson? Not happy at ‘On the Run’ deal?

Posted on February 26, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 1 Comment

This blog will look in full at the issue of ‘On the Runs’ next week. Suffice to say, we have been digging around. We have had information dealing with this issue for quite some time. We can provide photographic evidence of one “on the run”, back home in August 2000. That person had been assured that they would not be arrested, and personally collected and returned to West Belfast by Gerry Adams private secretary. We will look at the agencies involved at a later date.

Suffice to say though, when we get a piece of interesting information, we cross reference it against other material. Take Peter Robinson for example. This was his comment yesterday after judgement was handed down on John Downey’s case.

“This conclusion is an outrage and a dark day for justice in the United Kingdom,” he said. “It is little wonder that some have lost faith in our justice system. Mr Downey was being tried for one of the most heinous atrocities of the Troubles, but has now invoked a get out of jail free card which he and his cohorts were handed by Tony Blair’s government.
“As has been witnessed in recent days throughout the United Kingdom, Blair could not be trusted. The letters his government issued to some terrorists were ill-conceived. No one should be above the law and everyone should be equal under the law however this shortsighted and irresponsible process has now denied justice to victims of PIRA terrorism.”

A very strong quote from the First Minister.

Now, here is an excerpt from Jonathon Powell’s book regarding what the DUP knew about the ‘On the Run’ deals.

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Need we say more?

Postscript: Gregory Campbell speaking on the Nolan Show this morning stated the DUP knew nothing about On the Run deals.  TUV’s Jim Allister has issued a press release this morning dealing with Powell’s claims,  Campbell, and questions for OFMDFM  http://www.jimallister.org/2014/02/downey-case-the-stormont-fallout/#more-1125

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“Give us a wee song before we shoot you…”:

Posted on February 25, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 9 Comments

The Rosemary McCartney and Patrick O’Neill murders (Jeanne Griffin)

 Friday 21 July 1972 was a day that Belfast will never forget; the sheer level of savagery the IRA unleashed on its populace by exploding 22 bombs throughout the city ensured that the dark day was henceforth referred to in the annals of the Troubles as “Bloody Friday”. Bombs went off one after the other in a series of loud thuds sending up clouds of smoke as terrified shoppers scurried for cover and the security forces frantically tried to follow the confused telephoned warnings. The resulting carnage was devastating and spread panic over Belfast as the attacks were not confined to the city centre but were also detonating in residential areas as well. Nine people were blown to pieces.
Bewilderment turned to outrage as graphic pictures showing firemen scraping up human remains were shown on television screens. Anger blazed through the loyalist community with some wishing to strike back hard against the Catholics from whence they believed the IRA had found succour. One of the four Ulsterbus employees that had been killed in the Oxford Street bus station had been a member of the UDA. Accordingly the Shankill UDA immediately set up an operation that would raise the body count up to another two just hours after the summer sun had set on that infamous day.
A young Catholic man, Patrick O’Neill (26) and his girlfriend Rosemary McCartney (27) were travelling in  a taxi when they were stopped and questioned at a UDA roadblock. Upon discovering the couple’s religion they were taken to a room above a Shankill Road pub which had been converted into a UDA “Romper Room”. Masked members of the UDA were waiting inside and towels were placed over both their heads and the grilling began.
The interrogation was presided  over by Davy Payne, a  former British paratrooper and a UDA man with a fearsome reputation. Kevin Myers who was acquainted with him described Payne as “one of the most ferocious savages in the history of Irish terror”. In fact, he is credited with having invented the notorious UDA “romper rooms”. Rosemary McCartney of Iris Drive, West Belfast was facing this man and completely at his mercy. She was a popular folksinger enjoying considerable fame around the traditional music scene in Belfast. From a large, close-knit family, their lack of sectarianism was demonstrated by the fact that her brother Danny mainly had Protestant girlfriends whom he often brought to watch Rosemary perform. While Patrick was beaten and burnt with cigarettes, Rosemary was repeatedly questioned about an IRA man who lived in Iris Street. UDA leader Tommy Lyttle had been present at the “rompering” and he later recounted the details of that night.
As so often happened during Troubles atrocities there was an element of the grotesque. It was there in the Romper Room, a card was found in Rosemary’s bag identifying her as a singer. Fascinated, Payne asked her if she really was a singer. When she replied in the affirmative, he told her to prove it. She then asked him how she could prove it;  he answered her sardonically “By singing”. The intimidated and trembling young woman was forced to sing before her UDA interrogators. When she had finished her song the masked men all clapped and voiced their appreciation. Music normally has the power to reach down deeply into a person’s soul and strum the chords of emotion, inspiring universal harmony. Payne and his comrades were unmoved. Perhaps their hatred of Catholics was too visceral or more likely the years of violence had corroded their humanity. Rosemary and Patrick had to die.
Lyttle claimed there were two reasons Davy Payne came to this decision. Firstly, she had not been able to provide any information on the IRA man in Irish Street, and secondly he had never shot a woman before. There had been a suggestion from the man guarding the door that they should rape Rosemary as it was a “shame to let a woman like her go to waste”.  The others decided against it. After bundling the couple into a car several of the UDA men  drove to a spot in the Glencairn estate where both Rosemary and Patrick were shot dead. Payne fired the first shot into Rosemary’s face, then another man fired the second shot and a third man the final one in the traditional Act of Conspiracy.
IRA reaction to the double murder was callous indifference. Former IRA Chief of Staff Daithi O’Connell coolly explained in an interview that Catholic victims of loyalist death squads served to increase  recruitment to the IRA’s ranks and kept sectarian hatred perennially on the boil. Rosemary McCartney was the first woman executed by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland but tragically she was not the last. Others such as Jean McConville, Anne Ogilby, Mary Travers, Margaret Wright were to follow along with many more.
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Criminality (Catherine Mc Cartney)

Posted on February 23, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 2 Comments

‘There are agents carrying out criminal acts’.(Gerry Kelly)

Anna Lo’s recent claims that the police are ‘turning a blind eye’ to criminality, mainly from within the loyalist community, were greeted as a revelation by the media and sparked a superficial exploration of the issue. Predictably Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein’s policing spokesman, stepped up to the mike to ask the pertinent questions,

‘Why are these paramilitary organisations still existing? We have these illegal organisations 20 years after the first ceasefires in 1994 and 16 years after GFA still about, still existing…and still acting in terms of drugs in terms of criminality, in terms of intimidation…’ Gerry Kelly 2014.

It made for fascinating if not nauseating listening. Gerry assured Stephen Nolan that in his capacity as a member of the Policing Board he has been holding the PSNI to account over this very serious issue. The crux of the problem, as he sees it, is the protection of police ‘agents’ and he tells us he has asked the PSNI,

‘How far are you letting them (loyalist paramilitaries) go in terms of criminality which they are involved?’

Interestingly he doesn’t have a problem with the use of police agents per se but says the debate is,

‘…between what is a blind eye and the police who have infiltrated these organisations allowing their own agents to go too far as opposed to take action…’.

As a senior figure in the peace process Gerry Kelly is being at best disingenuous in his discussions on this issue and at worst downright duplicitous. He is fully aware that ‘turning a blind eye’ to criminality was a sop to republicans during the ‘peace process’ if not from 1994 then certainly 1997 when Blair took over the reins. This de facto policing deficit was first openly articulated by an NIO official in 1998 when asked if the murder of Charles Bennett was a breach of the IRA ceasefire, the answer was No it was ‘internal housekeeping’. In their determination to keep the ‘peace train’ on the move the British government overcame the problem of continuing IRA violence by categorising certain crimes as ‘political’ and ‘criminal’. Criminal they could live with as explained by a senior official in the Department of An Taoiseach (2006),

 

‘Criminality was always kind of never mentioned; always understood to be there, but there was always kind of sense that it would be hard to stop them doing all that. But if they stop the paramilitary stuff like the shooting of the cops, the targeting of the cops, and the army, and the bombs, and the disposal of the weapons, my God, wouldn’t that be just wonderful, you know? So criminality in that context of that being achieved was a lesser priority, right?’

What this meant in reality was that the lives of ordinary men and women in areas like the Short Strand and other paramilitary infested areas could be sacrificed to thugs and gangsters. Charles Bennett’s murder went under the ‘blind eye’ category as did those who came after him.

According to a senior Irish official (2009), British officials were ‘slightly indifferent’ to IRA criminality and many officials in Dublin also felt ‘a blind eye should be turned to criminality in pursuit of the greater goal’, a point that some DFA officials concede.

Officials’ being indifferent and untouched is one thing –  however this indifference was transmitted to the police, as a US official explains,

‘…I don’t believe that they had ever issued a policy statement to the police to tell them to ignore IRA criminality as long as it did not turn into bombs on the mainland, but I believe that many, many police thought they operated under those rules… And when the IRA held up Makros, that big store, on the eve of the elections, and no one could figure out who in the world might possibly have pulled this off very well orchestrated heist? And the explanation we get quietly when we asked about it was, ‘If we were to say it was the IRA, we’ll be accused of interfering in the election outcome’. What did you just train the IRA to do? You told them that they can carry out egregious, blatant, criminal behaviour in the run up to an election, and we will turn a blind eye to it. So then, you know what? They came back and did the Northern Bank… Finally, Dublin saw it too.’

Gerry Kelly is right when he says ‘There are agents carrying out criminal acts …’ but what he omits to acknowledge is that in some cases agents were protected at the behest of his party. Across both communities over 100 men have been murdered at the hands of paramilitaries since 1994 and to what extent ‘turning a blind eye’ played in the failure to prosecute or secure convictions must be examined. Until Gerry Kelly is prepared to speak to the truth about this practice his protestations are as credible as Chris Moyle calling for a crackdown on tax evasion.

 

honestdigest@outlook.com

 

 

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Justice delayed is justice finally achieved.

Posted on February 23, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — 3 Comments

Imagine the fear.  A young six and seven year old child, subjected to the most abhorrent and horrific acts of sexual violence, which continued for a number of years.  A young girl, who stated in court that she was raped over 1000 times by her father and her uncle, and who also stated that she was filmed on some occasions while she was raped, and forced to watch the film.

It’s something that doesn’t bear thinking about.  But we must think about it if society is ever going to confront the reality of the continuing cycle of sexual abuse.

The young girl in this case, now a woman, stood shaking in the dock of Coleraine court this month and recalled parties, where a number of men played cards as she was forced to sit in the corner with no clothes on.

 “They played cards and the person with the highest number got to go first… with me.”

She also recalled how, at primary school age, her uncle and father subjected her to heinous abuse.

 “They both took it in turns to rape me. I was crying, I asked them to stop but they laughed at me. They started doing it at the same time,” she said.

Both men, who cannot be named to protect the victims identites, are due to be sentenced in March, after being found guilty of 38 counts of abuse.  A family friend was found not guilty by a jury of his peers in the same case.

There are questions to be raised about this case.  The children told their mother about their abuse in 1997, and social services and the police were informed. A file was prepared for the then DPP, and they decided not to prosecute because in their view, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to achieve a “reasonable prospect of conviction.”  The case went nowhere, until the victims again came forward with details years later and an investigation was reopened.  How does that happen?

Both men had pleaded guilty to previous charges of abusing their own sister, which started when she was just four years old, and continued until she was nineteen. They pleaded not guilty in this instance, which ensured that the female victim had to take to the witness stand to relive her horrific ordeal.

It was a truly distressing case.  The fact that young children can be abused in this way regularly, unnoticed, is nothing new.  Shocking as that fact is, we all know it.  More shocking though, is that two young children reported this abuse, and  agencies failed them – sending out the message that they must have taken on board, that their evidence wasn’t strong enough, at that stage, to secure a conviction.

The real question though, is what did the agencies do after that point?  Did they monitor, question further, provide support to the victims?

Had it not been for the tenacity of these victims in going back and reporting their abuse a second time, none of this would have seen the light of day.  They are to be commended, for not only confronting their abuse, but for ensuring that their abusers were to be held accountable.  It may be of little comfort to them due to what they have endured in the past, but the almost inevitable custodial sentence, and other avenues open to the court will ensure that child protective measures will be put in place in relation to these two individuals.

Justice has been a long time coming for the victims involved.  It’s just such a pity that it wasn’t available to them when they reported it initially.

Síofra O’Neill

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Betty’s Bag – Your resident agony aunt is here to help!

Posted on February 22, 2014 by vixenswithconvictions — Leave a comment

Dear Betty,

I’m very worried about my son, Dennis. There’s something funny going on with him since he’s gone away to college in Tralee IT (TIT). He rarely visits anymore, saying he can’t “be himself” in such a small town. Most of his college friends are girls who wear very strange clothes and I think they smoke things, if you know what I mean…They say the funny smell is incense but I didn’t come down in the last shower! He was home last weekend and refused to drink the Lyons Tea because he said they’re unethical and will only drink Tesco fairtrade. I’m starting to think he might be…oh God I can’t even say it. I have no problem with how people to choose to live their life and I think that funny woman who owns the charity shop is one, and I’m perfectly nice and civil to her. I know it’s very popular these days, but it wasn’t like that in our day Betty as you well know. He never used to be like this and was a perfectly normal young man before he went away to college! I can’t possibly tell his father, he’ll go mad.

 I don’t think I could cope with the shame and the neighbours gossiping. There must be some way to talk him out of all this. What will I do Betty? My only son, a vegetarian!!

 Please help.

 Bridie*, Farranfore.

Bridie – I feel your pain.  But let’s face it – even if he isn’t eating meat, he’ll always be your son.  Is there anyone you can talk to closer to home about this?  Students tend to be more militant these days, not like in our day.  However, I want you to do this.  Visualise him at your deathbed eating a carrot stick.  Now, wouldn’t you rather have him there loving and supporting you as you go on your way, rather than him feeling alienated?  And as for the neighbours, Im sure they’ve all tried a bit of lettuce in their time.  Never mind about the gossips, what’s todays news, is tomorrows burger and chips paper.

 

Dear Betty,

I hope you can help. I’m having a bit of trouble with my neighbour’s dog. It constantly barks all the time! I mean constantly – it sounds like it’s going to come out the door and eat me. It’s very annoying but the lady won’t listen to me when I try to tell her, she just glares and walks off. Now it does stop when I leave her garden and stop peering in the windows, but it barks non stop for the four hours I’m hanging around there. It’s very bad noise pollution. How should I proceed?

 

Fintan, County Meath.

 

With extreme caution.  Dogs can be quite territorial.  Cut your time down to one hour and bring a steak with you and you should see a difference in a week.

 

Dear Betty,

I need some advice on talking to girls. I’m a 24 year old lad from Wexford and am currently studying Maths & Physics at Trinity. I recently met this girl that I really like, but she doesn’t know I exist. I met her when our Chess club had our weekly meeting next door to the Debating society, where she was taking part. I’m not sure how to get her to notice me. I debated joining her club (haha did you see what I did? Debating, because it’s a debating society. Gas!), but I’m not very good at public speaking. I’m not really good at talking about much beside maths or physics really, and you can’t debate those because they’re flawlessly accurate and absolute. I tried gelling up my hair but I think I had a reaction to the Brylcreme because I got a nasty rash on my forehead and hands. I’ve bought a nice brightly coloured shirt for next Chess Club.

 

Any other helpful tips? You’re a woman so I thought I’d ask you. Be way too mortified to ask mammy!

 

Lorcan, Dublin via Ballindaggin, Co. Wexford

Lorcan, Lorcan, Lorcan, where do I start?  You could write her a letter I suppose, and put your feelings down.  She might read it, you never know.  Leave off with the brylcreme, that’s too slick an approach.  If all else fails, take her out for a drink and after the first three, ask can you show her your bishop.  She may develop an interest in chess after a few tequilas.

 

Dear Betty,

Ive recently discovered that my partner of 14 years has been having it off with a younger woman.  I love this man and I don’t want him to leave.  What can I do to keep him?

Dawnie, New Lodge Road

 

In short, you need to get a grip.  If he’s done it once, you can be damned sure he will do it again.  A not so wise politician once said, “fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”  What he should have said was “fool me once, pack your bags, because you won’t get an opportunity to do it again.    What are you, a doormat?  Kick him out, cut up his undies, do whatever it takes to make you feel a bit better.  But don’t let him back into your bed.

 

Dear Betty,

I know this is a Vixens blog, but Im a man. That’s part of my problem.  My motion in the ocean seems to be ok if you get my drift, but I can’t seem to hold onto a woman.  How can I find the right girl – and hang onto her?

Steve, aged 62.

 

At your age, youre lucky your motion is working at all.  Next!

 

Dear Betty,

I’m a massive Patsy Cline fan.  I would hitch up my skirt while peeling the potatoes and sing “Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray” at the top of my voice.   The problem is last Tuesday night, two PSNI officers came from Tennant Street with an ASBO.  Im now barred from playing or singing Patsy, because my neighbours don’t appreciate good music when they hear it.  What am I going to do?

Depressed in Dun Eden

 

Well, Depressed.  You should count yourself lucky you weren’t arrested for crimes to decent human beings ears!  Short of falling to pieces, my advice is this.  You are driving. Your. Neighbours. crazy.  If you really want to belt out Patsy Cline songs, go walking after midnight, down to the graveyard and sing to your hearts content.  That way, no one will hear you, and only the dead will be offended.  Good luck!

 

If you would like Betty to answer your problems, send it to honestdigest@outlook.com and mark it Betty’s Bag – she’ll be more than happy to give you some tough love!Image

 

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