Tonight The Pensive Quill carries an appeal put out by the Friends Of Brendan Lillis.
A Chara,
Roisin Lynch, Brendan Lillis's partner is now calling on PSF and the SDLP to back her and demand that Justice Minister David Ford resign from his post with immediate effect.
We ask you to copy and paste the below letter, Sign it and send it to both PSF and the SDLP elected MLAs, TDs as possible.
Dear ----------,
As I am sure you may be aware of the situation of Mr Brendan Lillis. Mr Lillis is currently incarcerated after his life sentence was revoked by Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, a decision subsequently vindicated by Alliance Party Leader and Minister of Justice David Ford.
Mr Ford has repeatedly denied appeals for Brendan’s release on the basis of humanitarian or compassionate grounds. He has stated that Brendan is 'a risk to society.' It is our contention that Mr Ford has misled MP’s, MLA’s and the public as to the level of risk Brendan poses to society as he has been confined to a prison hospital bed for almost two years. It is also our contention that Mr Ford has misled MP’s, MLA’s and the public as to the seriousness of Brendan’s medical condition.
Brendan Lillis cannot walk or tend to his own needs and his weight has dropped to dangerous levels. Brendan is dying. On the 4th August 2011 the UN Official Rapporteur Dr Sean O Domhnaill issue a statement confirming the terminal status of Brendan’s illness, after carrying out an examination he stated that:
”I believe he will die in Maghaberry prison because he is suffering from an advanced form of a condition which requires specialist attention for a prolonged period”.
Dr O Domhnaill also called into question the justification for sending Brendan back to prison stating,
“He quite clearly poses no risk to others as he himself is at imminent risk of death in his place of detention”.
Following Mr Ford’s rejection of another appeal for clemency from Brendan’s partner Roisin Lynch and in light of Dr O Domhnaill’s damning indictment of Brendan’s treatment Roisin has called on Mr Ford to resign.
We the Friends of Brendan Lillis echo this call for Mr Ford to resign as his position is untenable in light of a deliberate policy of misleading elected representatives and the public and the continuous stream of misinformation.
We therefore call on all elected officials from Sinn Fein and the SDLP to request that Mr Ford is censured and that the MLA’s from these parties propose a motion of no confidence in Mr Ford and ask him to do the honourable thing and resign.
Signed,
------------------------
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Never mind stepping aside psf should be demanding that Ford gets the boot,
ReplyDeleteThe once well oiled SF machine of protest and opposition to the uglier side of British antics in Ireland is now turned on opponents of British interests in Ireland. Expect nothing from that quarter and spare yourself disappointment.
ReplyDeleteRemember how the workers party were in the 80s, that's the level of effectiveness SF have regardless of the SDLP votes they swindled. Slimedog millionaires.
AM
ReplyDelete'I would walk from here to Drogheda and back to see the man who is blockhead enough to expect anything except injustice from an English Parliament.' ~ Daniel O'Connell ~
I have used the above quote 2 nights ago as intro to your article 'Pumping Up The Volume' to highlight the plight of Marian Price in Maghaberry POW Camp. I re-used it again Thurs when sharing your article 'Revisiting '81' where there was a double irony in the fact that the vigil you attended was being held on the ‘Bridge of Peace’ in Drogheda!! (maybe there is a TRIPLE irony there as well!). And again for the third time, today, I felt compelled to re-use it as an intro 2 sharing THIS article on Facebook!
However, ALL 3 articles, contain one over-ridingly tragic connection with the above Daniel O'Connell quote and that is - 'TRUST IN THE BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT'.
It is the sad & irrefutable fact that Irish history seems to continuously repeat itself. Where 'WE THE PEOPLE' now find ourselves, is not just the history of the 40 year Struggle (including the '81 Hunger Strikes) repeating, BUT in fact it is 800 years of Irish history repeating itself right back from the era of the 'Uncrowned King of Ireland', Daniel O'Connell, himself!!!
Yesterday on the Nolan Show, David 'Maggie Thatcher' Ford smug condescending tone & Gregory 'Paisley' Campbell's monotone bigotry, re-affirmed for me that Stormont HQ is nothing more than an expensive, self-serving (gravy train)and self-deluding charade.... merely a throw back to the Sunningdale era.
The only difference in 2011, is that there are a few Republican's by name (NOT by nature!!) thrown into the mix ONLY to give it an air of 'minority nationalist/republican' pseudo public accountability!!
"Yes, ruling by fooling, is a great British art with great Irish fools to practice on." ~ James Connolly ~
Beir Bua!
P.S. AM, I would like to take this opportunity to invite your all readers to join a Facebook Page dedicated to fighting for the immediate release of veteran, Irish Republican Marian Price... @ http://www.facebook.com/FreeMarianPriceNOW
Will Sinn Fein support the call for David Ford to resign or be removed in order to save the life of a former blanketman? MMcG's recent statement must be followed up with direct political action at excutive level to resolve the situation. Is the life of one man worth incurring the wrath of the DUP hence upsetting the cost relationship at Stormont? I believe it is.
ReplyDeleteAnthony,
ReplyDeleteThanks for raising this issue again.
The Rebels Yell,
Great comment, one small point though, it ws Parnell who was called "The Uncrowned King of Ireland", O'Connell was known as "The Liberator". I will certainly continue to support the campaign to get Marion Price released from prison.
Disclaimer : I'm not a republican and very much in favour of the current political process, although I listen carefully to opposing arguments (and I enjoy the debate here). I know nothing about Brendan Lillis other than what I have read about this particular issue over the past couple of weeks. My sympathies would be with the Alliance Party, I've been acquainted with David Ford for over 15 years although I have not spoken to him for several months.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, the calls for Ford to resign are just nonsensical. Presumably the people making this call feel that a different justice minister might make a different decision. This is not likely to be the case given the legal constraints which effectively limit the action that Ford can take which require any such decision to be backed by appropriate medical advice.
On the subject of medical advice, perhaps someone could correct me on this, but the family/friends have chosen not to publish any professional medical testimony supporting their claims concerning Lillis' condition beyond the representations which have been made by a psychiatrist named Dr Sean O Domhnaill. Searching through Google, we find that O Domhnaill has rather distinctly partisan Irish republican sympathies. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it gives rise to the belief that his assessment of Lillis' condition may not be a purely medical opinion. More seriously, from my point of view, is the apparent fact that O Domhnaill is some sort of quack who likes to show up at political events to pitch his oar in. We find that he argues for a connection between abortion and breast cancer (O Domhnaill sits on the governing body of an organization calling itself the "Irish Catholic Doctors Association" - quite why Irish doctors who are Catholic need their own association is beyond me), and that at a public meeting he likened the Irish government's establishment of a statutory regulatory body for the Irish medical professional to practices in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
So my question here is - why can't the family and friends of Lillis find a doctor who is willing to sign off on Lillis' extenuating circumstances and why instead have they sought to bring in this easily-discreditable, non-practising individual who has a political agenda of his own ?
I really hope that we are not re-enacting the old Irish republican tradition of using, or indeed prolonging, the suffering of individuals in prison in search of the higher objective of discrediting the institutions of the state.
With respect to some of the wider political matters that people have drawn their attention to, some of them are worth addressing. For a start Sinn Féin could remove Ford by withdrawing their support for him, but they are not going to do that as the executive, together with all their work for the past ten years, would go up in smoke. That's not what the very large number of people who voted for SF (and indeed most of the other parties) want. You guys are all entitled to your belief that the whole thing is an Evil British imperialist entity, but the overwhelming majority of the Irish people back it, for its imperfections, and want it to work. And it'll work just fine for Brendan Lillis, just as soon as someone credible provides the medical evidence required to secure his release on compassionate grounds.
@"Comrade Stalin" (if that is your real name or indeed anything but some ugly troll's sock puppet).
ReplyDeleteI have question for you since you are so well aquainted with Minister David Ford.
Why don't you ask him what is going on and then enlighten us sad, deluded individuals???
Rory
Comrade Stalin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your contribution.
Your political hue matters not. What counts is your argument. Your sympathy with the Alliance Party is not an issue either. Although you seem to presume that there is a monolith of opinion here with your comment that ‘you guys are all entitled to your belief that the whole thing is an Evil British imperialist entity.’
As for David Ford, I have met him and on those occasions that I did I was impressed with his grasp and intellect, finding him intellectually streets ahead of other political leaders in the North.
‘Firstly, the calls for Ford to resign are just nonsensical.’
More nonsensical than having him in a government in a so called Werstern democracy that is devoid of any political opposition?
We know he is not there on merit (despite his ability) but because the British state manages the place much more effectively when it has a useful buffer between the DUP and the Shinners.
‘Presumably the people making this call feel that a different justice minister might make a different decision.’
Perhaps. But maybe they feel that that he should go because of his bad handling of the current situation.
Comrade Stalin,
ReplyDeleteIf there is nothing wrong with Dr Sean O Domhnaill’s republican sympathies why flag them up other than to make him suspect? The same ploy was played in relation to Pat Finucane; a solicitor but he has republican sympathies. And that you are very much trying to make something wrong out of his republican sympathies is evident from your querying of his medical judgment as probably being compromised by his opinion. Your argument would merit more respect were you to state outright that you do find something wrong with his republican sympathies.
You raise his overt Catholicism as a reason for undermining his credibility. If you have read this blog previously you will know that the denizens here are not renowned for their love of Catholicism. Nor are they endeared towards the Irish Catholic Doctors Association. Yet we don’t find it a reason to pass judgement on his professional competence.
What doctor is David Ford producing to show that Brendan Lillis is pretty much ok to the point that he should not be released? Those of us who have experienced prison doctors stand and rub their hands with glee as we were beaten will understandably be cynical about their opinions.
‘So my question here is - why can't the family and friends of Lillis find a doctor who is willing to sign off on Lillis' extenuating circumstances and why instead have they sought to bring in this easily-discreditable, non-practising individual who has a political agenda of his own?’
But even if they were to jump that hoop for you what guarantee is there that you would not seek to undermine the next doctor in the manner that you have sought to rubbish their current choice?; that you will not google to see if he opposes abortion or is linked to some Catholic body
‘I really hope that we are not re-enacting the old Irish republican tradition of using, or indeed prolonging, the suffering of individuals in prison in search of the higher objective of discrediting the institutions of the state.’
I share that view but do not delude yourself that the institutions of the state have not long beaten prisoners while their minister have publicly lied that complaints of brutality were propaganda.
‘Sinn Féin could remove Ford by withdrawing their support for him,
but they are not going to do that as the executive, together with all
their work for the past ten years, would go up in smoke.’
Which in itself is a serious indictment of their record; they are unable to call for the resignation of a British micro minister who is responsible (as they themselves claim) for the ongoing inhumane treatment of a prisoner currently in jail for the campaign their leaders directed.
‘the overwhelming majority of the Irish people back it, for its imperfections, and want it to work.’
And?
If it is democratic then we can dissent from it. Because it allows no government opposition it does not follow that we all must acquiesce and refrain from opposing. That would truly give substance to the old saw ‘why vote when the government always gets in?
Comrade Stalin is a fitting name for a mate of Ford ,its a wonder he isnt offering you the head screws post ffs,after all we cant have FIVE and a HALF STONE men crawling around threathing the peace do we!
ReplyDeleteRory,
ReplyDeleteI'm not an evil sockpuppet, I just don't come here that often to contribute. I've been posting over on Slugger O'Toole for five or six years now under the same pseudonym. I posted here a couple of times under the name "ffffffffff" which was some sort of weird Google problem. Fixed now.
I'm absolutely not speaking on Ford's behalf and I don't have any kind of access (privileged or otherwise) and, of course, it wouldn't be right if I or anyone else did. To your question, I thought that Ford explained fairly clearly what has been going on in various interviews and to Brendan's partner this week. His argument is that he hasn't been presented with credible professional advice that would justify compassionate release, and that he therefore cannot act.
Anthony,
in retrospect it was unfair of me to suggest that there is a monolith of opinion here, although half of the comment space on this discussion so far has been the usual delving into history which I think has little relevance here outside of Irish republican ideology, which is all well and good but to me is not going to help understand the problems here.
I have high regard for Ford as well, have done for a long time, and I think he is doing a good job etc. I can't defend d'Hondt, you won't find an Alliancer who will, I think it is nonsensical. It exists because we still live in an environment where unionists and nationalists fundamentally don't trust each other, and progress on addressing that is painfully slow. But the calls for a minister to resign are little more than a cliché these days, we hear them every single time something goes wrong. And I wouldn't dispute that Ford's position owes a great deal to the fact that he is the least-worst candidate that both the DUP and SF accept - it's an Alliance fait accompli. To coin another cliché, we are where we are.
There is nothing wrong intrinsically with O Domhnaill being a republican. But combined with other things, I don't personally see him as an impartial observer and the other details I found out about him with a short google search make him seem a bit incredible. He sounds a bit like a political activist who happens to have a medical degree. Surely there is a practicing doctor somewhere nearby, within the six if you will, who could be found to certify this matter. I am in no place to dispute your point about prison doctors, although to my knowledge the family/relatives have made no attempt to highlight any inaccuracies in the prison doctors' report. Ford indicated during his interview on Nolan that Lillis' treatment was being supervised by medical staff at Altnagelvin hospital in conjunction with the prison so is it really true that the only doctors who have been in contact are those attached to the prison ?
As to the next point about jumping hoops .. personally speaking, if there is an independent medical report (such as the one Ford commissioned which is due in a couple of weeks) which states that Lillis' condition is terminal and/or that keeping in in prison is denying him necessary medical treatment, then I would agree that he should be released on a compassionate basis, and that the government would simply have to accept the medical testimony despite any other views they may have, in the same way the Scottish government did in the case of Al Megrahi.
As to whether or not Ford will see it in the same way .. I couldn't say. If I had to bet, I would guess that the forthcoming report will conclude the same thing as has already been concluded to date, as I really don't think that a doctor would put himself at the risk of a professional malpractice lawsuit by playing down the seriousness of a patient's illness.
Comrade Stalin-
ReplyDeleteIts been a while old hand- anti Sinn Fein now- come on-
Sinn Fein cannot remove ford- Sinn Fein plus the d.u.p can remove ford
Want to talk politics- you have come to the right place- want to tell yarns- you will be caught out-
Ford Must Step Aside
ReplyDeleteComrade Stalin,
Ffffffffff – I can recall that but not what was said.
‘His argument is that he hasn't been presented with credible professional advice that would justify compassionate release, and that he therefore cannot act.’
Let us presume for the sake of discussion that the condition is not fatal. The state of debilitation is such that he poses no threat. The British already released the Libyan Al Megrahi on ostensibly compassionate grounds but which were really political. This is an abuse of process.
‘it was unfair of me to suggest that there is a monolith of opinion here.’
We are not religious so will not crucify you for it!
I could never think Ford is doing a good job. On Maghaberry he is doing the job the DUP would love to do and the one Sinn Fein would do but would be embarrassed by doing.
‘But the calls for a minister to resign are little more than a cliché these days.’
The response to such calls can also be a means to seal those in office from accountability. Why should Sean Brady not resign as cardinal, or Rebekah Brooks as News International chief?
‘Surely there is a practicing doctor somewhere nearby, within the six if you will, who could be found to certify this matter.’
Bring them in – get agreement between the family and the department as to their suitability.
Put the report of the Altnegelvin doctors out in the public domain.
‘ if there is an independent medical report (such as the one Ford commissioned which is due in a couple of weeks) which states that Lillis' condition is terminal and/or that keeping in in prison is
denying him necessary medical treatment, then I would agree that he should be released on a compassionate basis, and that the government would simply have to accept the medical testimony despite any other
views they may have.’
Fair enough. But even then regardless of how it works out what position is the guy in to be a threat?
‘I really don't think that a doctor would put himself at the risk of a professional malpractice lawsuit by playing down the seriousness of a patient's illness.’
Why then do you think he would risk the same by exaggerating the extent of the patient’s illness?
Brendan Lillis is in a grave medical condition. His condition is so debilitating that he can no longer function in any normal sense. Perhaps, comrade Stalin could explain how his detention can be jsutified on a humantarian level? Ultimately, this man will be released on compassionate/medical grounds therefore it seems unreasonable to wait utill his condition becomes marginally worse than it is. It would appear to me that the system has extracted its pound of flesh in this particular instance.
ReplyDeletePress release on Brendan Lillis
ReplyDeleteRoisin visited Brendan Lillis today and after five minutes the visit was stopped and a doctor declared Brendan to be critical and in need of removal to hospital. Roisin was not notified when he would be moved or to where he would be moved and she left the visit in a distressed state.
We have been highlighting the critical nature of Brendan’s condition for a long time and while we are pleased that he is to at last receive appropriate treatment, the delay in making this move does nothing to instil confidence in the justice system in the North of Ireland.
Gerard Hodgins 07549663246
Roisin Kane 07543800824
I just saw this news coming through. It sounds bad.
ReplyDeleteIt will be an extremely serious matter if it turns out that doctors failed to accurately report on the seriousness of Lillis' condition. If it turns out that this has happened, there would have to be malpractice prosecutions.
Comrade Stalin,
ReplyDeletethere was really no reason other than punitive to continue holding him. I am not sure the doctors can be blamed. The micro minister for Justice has a case to answer here. Everything should be brought into the open. The decision to continue holding Brendan Lillis was political.
AM,
ReplyDeleteWe aren't going to agree on these things, but it doesn't feel appropriate to explore this further when a man's life may be in the balance. I hope that Brendan recovers speedily.
Comrade Stalin,
ReplyDeleteno, we shall not agree. But it is a bit late for Alliance to start showing concern. The man would not be so ill had Ford have done the just thing
Mackers,
ReplyDeletethis is such good news.
I was just wondering if Comrade Stalin or anyone else could tell me why the loyalist who was recently charged with Eileen Doherty's murder has not had his licence revoked?
I am still shaking with emotion on reading your comment on someone being charged with Eileen Doherty's murder. It was the first I knew of it.
ReplyDeleteApart from the taxi driver I was the main witness in that case. I sat with her for half an hour in the taxi depot on the Ormeau Road. The two men who shot her were in the depot with us throughout all the banter, conversation and slagging. I thought one was sick as he sat with his head down and hand over his face. I took it they had just left the Stick club. I recall standing over her grave and her boyfriend crying, that I was 'my friend, my friend.'
The night before I had kicked a window through full of the cider and was on crutches. Normally I would travel with the driver for the spin, a guy called Ronnie. That night it was John Sherry as the Ronnie was not on. My ma had dated John's brother Tommy before she met my da. John did his best to save her and actually threw her out of the car and the two of them got away. But as they walked along the embankment to safety the UFF came back around in the taxi they had taken over and opened fire on her. She was only 19. Every Sunday after I got out in 75 I travelled over to Andytown to spend time with her mother. I then met her at the mass for Mick Kearney when it was finally admitted that he was not an informer.
Still shaking at all this, and there is not much shakes me. She was the best.
Can someone explain to me why the British government released the Lockerbie bomber, who was convicted of killing hundreds of civilians, but are refusing to release Brendan Lillis? I don't think anyone is denying that Lillis fought for the PIRA; all his supporters are asking for is compassion and fair play.
ReplyDeleteNuala,
ReplyDeletejust reading up on that case and found he was charged as far back as December. Amazed at how I missed it. Glad you raised it. Had uneasy dreams about it last night, not aided by the fact that I had drank a fair bit of whiskey before reading your comment! There was a formal for a neighbour's child so I ended up on the drink!
I have such a vivid memory of that night in 73.
Ffs Anthony its a small world indeed I mentioned this case a few months ago when that community worker was lifted for her murder,and as Nuala has rightly mentioned he hasnt had his licence revoked, Eileen Doherty was an innocent kid and was also a friend of mine,her younger sister worked with me in Grundig,her death was brutal and needless and like yourself a cara I have never forgotten that lovely lass.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeletethe UFF claimed the killing and falsely accused Eileen of having been in the guard of honour at jim Bryson's funeral.
Now they are saying Rodgers did life for the UVF killing a nationalist in 74. And it seems the PUP rather than those linked to the UFF/UDA are taking up his case.
I think his licence has not been revoked simply because an act that took place prior to his life sentence would not be classified as a breach of his licence which is really a guarantee of future good behaviour.
It is a small world indeed.
I normally went on the taxi runs but even had Ronnie been on that night I would not have gone because I was on crutches. I guess I was lucky that they did not decide to shoot up the taxi depot.
The fickle finger of fate Anthony,who knows where and at who it points and why? its really sad when kids and innocent people like Eileen get taken away for no just reason other than they came from the wrong side or the colour of their skin, that bastard of a community worker is imo a cowardly cunt.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeletekilling an unarmed teenage woman was hardly a brave act. But it is not something the loyalists had a monopoly on
I know Anthony no justification in killing innnocents no matter whos side they come from.
ReplyDeleteMackers,
ReplyDeletesorry to be the bearer of such bad news. Yes, you are perfectly correct they could not revoke his licence because the murder took place before the GFA.
I was about to reply to this but I see that others have made the point already. The license doesn't get cancelled automatically because new evidence becomes available about something in the past. It only gets cancelled if you're judged to be getting involved in things again.
ReplyDeleteI can't find any immediate information on licenses cancelled, but it's pretty rare. I know Séan Kelly and Brendan Lillis had theirs cancelled, I can't think of any others (was Colin Duffy's cancelled ?). Johnny Adair was the first person to be returned to jail AFAIK.
Comrade Stalin,
ReplyDelete'It only gets cancelled if you're judged to be getting involved in things again.'
In some cases despite any evidence that would stand up in court.
It is not as rare as you think. Over the years there have been licences revoked but usually it follows from a charge that leads to a conviction. Once the sentence is served for the charge the licence tends to be issued again.
There was a tendency at the beginning for the licence to be revoked if a person on licence was charged with something violent, even a bar room brawl, whereas it would not be withdrawn for a non-violent offence.
Marian Price and Martin Corey have had their licences revoked in recent times. Colin Duffy had no licence to revoke.
The frontnpage of the Andytown News Today carries the headline 'HE'S LIVING ON ICE CUBES' in reference to Brendan Lillis. Sorry, Comrade Stalin, but your friend David Ford called this seriously wrong. This man's health has been utterly destroyed over the past two years to the point were his life now hangs in the balance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackers on this one. The system showed no mercy nor compassion for BL probably because he was a former republican lifer and blanketman.
Nuala,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you brought it to my attention. I am amazed that I hadn’t found out by now.
I am an Irish Republican, as were my father and grandfathers before me. I am a Catholic as were my father and forebears for longer than I will ever know. I am a doctor, a fully qualified specialist, as was my father before me. I am a human rights activist, as was my father before me. In Ireland, the professional class tend to remain silent on political issues and often do the bidding of their political masters. I found that out to no small degree in Maghaberry prison and in other fora over the years. I am a humanitarian. I will use every power within my human armoury to protect life. When Comrade Stalin and his ilk try to destroy my good name, they will accuse me of being any of the above. However, I am proud of all these identities and have never sought to hide them. I act for my fellow man or woman.I would undoubtedly have ended up in the G.U.L.A.G. if Comrade Stalin had his way. That just shows his disrespect for those who stand for the vulnerable. I hope that one day, as I face my Judge, that I am found guilty of any of the charges levelled against me by C.S.. Then I will know that I have lived the life I wished. Slán agus beannacht Dé oraibhse go léir.
ReplyDeleteHello Sean,
ReplyDeleteI see that you have admitted to being a republican. As a fellow pro-lifer, let me say this: is there not an inherent contradiction between defending innocent unborn children while supporting an ideology that has murdered FOUR times as many innocent civilians as the British? As someone with a prominent position in the pro-life movement, how do you reconcile these views? In my opinion, your activities are scandalising the young, impressionable people that make up the bulk of your organisation. May I politely suggest that you publicly renounce Irish republicanism to prevent any more scandal. (And to any YD people who may be reading this: I am not libelling Sean as he himself has now admitted having republican sympathies, nor I am damaging his reputation in any way. All am I doing is asking him to publicly renounce Irish republicanism. That is all.)
Young Ireland-
ReplyDelete" Supporting an ideology that has murdered Four times as many civilians as the British "
So the UVF-UFF-LVF are now not as british as the SAS-brit army to you-the british are still killing civilians in Afganistan-i know you cant prove your numbers game-four times more my ass-
" All am i doing is asking him to pubicly renounce Irish republicanism "
You want Sean to renounce his belief-not an armed group but Irish republicanism itself-are you wise-
Oh yes I can prove it. The statistics I quoted referred to Northern Ireland during the Troubles only.
ReplyDeleteFrom Wikipedia:
Number of civilians killed by Republicans: 728
Number of civilians killed by British forces in Northern Ireland: 187
I think it is unfair to lump the loyalists with the security forces as the UDA et al. are not internationally recognised organisations and have just as much legitimacy as the IRA.
I should have made myself clearer. I believe that Sean should stop campaigning for people who committed acts of terrorism (Brendan Lillis), and denounce the "armed struggle" component of Irish republicanism. Sorry for the confusion.
MichaelHenry,
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that you are stuck in Cookstown and not on the Copacabana with 'Deputy Dog' as his aide-de-camp! I can just picture the scene as Marty addresses the 'Brazilian Sheet Metal Workers Union Conference' -'Will anyone here object if, with a factor 30 in this hand and a pina colada in the other, me and Peter take power in Northern Ireland? And you Michael by his side nodding approvingly.
Robert-
ReplyDeleteI am not in Cookstown now and i only wish i could be in Brazil with a pina colada in one hand and a fan in the other- power in the 32
would be better-hope you dont mind us going for it-