Celtic League, 17
October 2002:
CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION
BRITISH COMMITTED TO COOPERATE IN QUEST FOR "ANSWERS" SAYS AMBASSADOR
The British Ambassador to Ireland, Sir Ivor Roberts, has said the British Government has submitted evidence to assist ongoing Judicial
enquiries in Ireland into allegations of collusion by the security forces in a number of cases in both jurisdictions. He says they are
committed to assisting the families of those murdered by terrorists "and their need to find answers".
The Celtic League had written asking if such assistance would be forthcoming
given the Ambassadors unprecedented involvement in providing evidence recently
in the case of an alleged Real IRA leader. The League said:
"Given that your office now seems prepared to extend assistance can we ask if this will extend to other contentious enquiries about terrorist
activity in Ireland. Specifically, will it encompass the furnishing of all
information and files on possible direct involvement, or collusion with
paramilitary groups by British Intelligence, which has caused the innocent
deaths of civilians over the past thirty years in the Republic of Ireland".
In his response (14/10/02) the Ambassador says:
"We understand the devastation felt by the family and friends of those
murdered by terrorists, and their need to find answers. I do not think that
these answers will be brought any closer by the repetition of false allegations.
You will be aware that the British and Irish Governments have appointed the
Honourable Mr. Justice Cory to investigate allegations of collusion by the
security forces in a number of cases in both jurisdictions. The British
Government is committed to co-operating fully with the investigations, and to
ensuring that Mr. Justice Cory has the support and resources needed.
Separately, the Irish Government has established an Independent Commission into
the Dublin/Monaghan and Dundalk bombings under Mr. Justice Barron. We have
trawled through a vast number of files held in Whitehall Departments and
agencies in an effort to find any information. To give you an idea of the scale
of the task, the Northern Ireland Office alone has in the region of 68,000
registered files. We have submitted information to Justice Barron, and our
dialogue with him continues".
It would be churlish of the Celtic League not to accept that the Ambassadors
letter indicates a sincere commitment by the British government to unravel some
of the mystery and ambiguity that surround alleged British involvement in some
of the darker chapters of recent Irish history. However, the true test of all
this effort will be if the families of those killed in Dublin and Monaghan and
in many other singular incidents (Such as the murder of Seamus Ludlow) will gain
a sense of settlement once the enquiries report.
Bernard Moffatt
Secretary General
Celtic League
17/10/02
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It focuses on
human rights abuse and civil liberty issues and also monitors the impact of
military activity.
TEL + (0)1624 877918 MOBILE + (0)7624 491609
Internet site at
http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/
[email protected]
I Homepage I I Top I I Press Coverage I I BIRW Report II Barron Inquiry I I Terms of reference for Barron Inquiry I I Fresh Inquest I I New Guest Book I
Previous Statements from the Celtic League
No.164 MURDER GANG ENQUIRY CALL - 10/30/2000
No.239 LUDLOW MURDER - PROPOSALS SOON - 2/1/2001
No.346 LUDLOW - GOVT URGED TO HEED ENQUIRY CALL - 4/30/2001
No.362 MINISTER EVASIVE ON LUDLOW QUERY - 5/15/2001
LUDLOW MURDER DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT - 07/17/02
LOUTH MURDER - ENQUIRY CALL SUPPORT - 07/28/02
AHERN LUDLOW MURDER RESPONSE DISAPPOINTING - 09/21/02
Press Reports
The Argus, 27 August 1976: Inquest hears of North Louth shooting
Monaghan County of Intrigue (1979) by the late Michael Cunningham: Quoting from Mr. Cunningham's account of his private investigation of Seamus Ludlow's murder.
The Argus, special report 30 August 1985: On May 1st 1974, a forestry worker left his home to go for a drink: the following day his bullet riddled body was found. Nine years later we ask: WHO KILLED SEAMUS LUDLOW?
The Irish Independent, 19 July 2002: Fresh inquest into death of murdered man
The Irish News, 19 July 2002: Family welcome inquest 26 years after murder
The Irish Times, 19 July 2002: New inquest ordered into Louth man's death
The Dundalk Democrat, 20 July 2002: Second inquest to be held into the death of Seamus Ludlow
The Irish Examiner Online - Breaking News, 29 July 2002: Call for public inquiry into 1976 murder
|
Visitors are welcome to leave messages on our New Guest Book
|
