Celtic
League, 14 September 2003:
CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION
BRITISH AMBASSADOR WAIVES IMMUNITY IN McKEVITT CASE
It has been reported that the trial in Ireland of the alleged leader of the Real
IRA, Michael McKevitt, is close to collapse because of a failure of the British
and US governments to hand over Intelligence files
Much of the evidence being withheld apparently relates to the testimony of an
informant in the US who purportedly infiltrated the organisation after its
formation following a Republican split.
However, as we warned in Celtic News No. 308 the actions against McKevitt were
predicated around flawed judicial procedures in the first place. Like many
others over the years he has been detained and prosecuted state Act (OASA) which have been condemned Internationally. The OASA provisions
were further strengthened following the understandable wave of anger that swept through Ireland following the terrible Omagh bombing.
It now seems his case will 'hang or fall' on the basis of questionable
information from a US informer and the involvement of the British Intelligence
Services.
The legitimate involvement of this latter body is open to question in Ireland
with a lasting suspicion that its full role in the horrendous bombings in
Monaghan and Dublin is yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile in a further twist to the McKevitt case it appears that major credence
will be placed by the prosecution on evidence to be provided by the British
Ambassador to the Irish Republic who unusually has waived diplomatic immunity
and agreed to give evidence.
McKevitt's lawyers have in preliminary hearings properly questioned the
Ambassadors, Sir Ivor Ruperts, credibility.
Should McKevitt's case be pursued and he is convicted it is highly questionable
that any conviction will stand scrutiny in the Appeal court or in International
forums. Even if McKevitt is the villain that he is painted he has a basic right
to 'due process'. However, the machinations to date of this case suggest that
conviction at all costs is driving the case and not adherence to the rule of
law.
If the Irish Government were determined to get to grips with the problems of
residual terrorism which followed the peace process in Ireland they would have
been well advised to base any prosecutions soundly.
Meanwhile, the British Ambassadors willingness to waive his immunity on this
issue so as to ensure McKevitt's conviction sits uncomfortably when matched with
British Government reluctance to come clean about their role in the deaths of
many innocent Irish people during the cross-border dirty war they pursued for
two decades.
We have written to Sir Ivor asking if the new spirit of openness and cooperation
between the British and Irish government, which has seen him waive his immunity
to appear as a witness in the case, will extend to furnish all information and
files on possible British direct involvement or collusion with paramilitary groups over the past thirty years in the Republic
of Ireland.
All those involved in the perpetration of acts of terrorism which have caused
the deaths of innocent people in Ireland deserve to be brought to justice be
they gang-masters of paramilitary groups or those who still sit comfortably in
the offices of British Intelligence or enjoy 'pensions' earned during this
infamous period.
Bernard Moffatt
Secretary General
Celtic League
14/09/02
Copy of letter to British Embassy - Dublin:
Sir Ivor Roberts
British Ambassador to Ireland
31 Merrion Road
Dublin 4
Republic of Ireland
04:10:02
Dear Sir Ivor,
I understand that you have waived diplomatic immunity to provide evidence in a
forthcoming criminal case in Ireland. I do not wish to comment on the specifics
of the case as this might be prejudicial.
I would however observe that any assistance that you or the British government
provide generally to the Government of Ireland which helps to ensure the
security of the State is extremely positive.
You will of course be aware that over the past thirty years the violence so
endemic in N. Ireland prior to the peace process periodically spilled over the
border and claimed the lives of many innocent people, ruined the quality of life
for others, through injury and trauma, and blighted the tranquility of many
families.
Several high-profile cases including instances of multiple deaths and injury,
such as the Monaghan and Dublin bombings and individual cases, such as the
murder of Seamus Ludlow, carry with them a strong suspicion amongst commentators
and relatives of involvement of the British military.
Specifically it is alleged that elements of the British military were involved
directly, or organised surrogates amongst the paramilitary of N. Ireland, to
pursue what has been described as a 'dirty war' in Ireland.
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. This would assist enquiries
currently in hand, or mooted, by the Irish government?
All those involved in the perpetration of acts of terrorism which have caused
the deaths of innocent people in Ireland deserve to be brought to justice be
they gang-masters of paramilitary groups or those who still sit comfortably in
the offices of British Intelligence or enjoy 'pensions' earned during this
infamous period.
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt
Secretary General
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.
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Statements from the Celtic League
MURDER
GANG ENQUIRY CALL - 10/30/2000
LUDLOW
MURDER - PROPOSALS SOON - 2/1/2001
LUDLOW
- GOVT URGED TO HEED ENQUIRY CALL - 4/30/2001
MINISTER
EVASIVE ON LUDLOW QUERY - 5/15/2001
LUDLOW
MURDER DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT - 07/17/2002
LOUTH
MURDER - ENQUIRY CALL SUPPORT - 07/28/2002
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
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