Ireland: IRA activists to be pardoned in Republic

The Belfast Telegraph ^ | November 10, 2005 | Tom Brady

[Stoat]

IRA activists to be pardoned in Republic

 

By Tom Brady 10 November 2005

A handful of Provisional IRA activists are expected to be granted a presidential pardon in the Republic as part of the measures being introduced by the Irish and British governments for "on the run" terrorists.

The Irish Government has opted for a straightforward pardon paramilitaries who qualify - in contrast to the complex legislation being used in Northern Ireland.

It is estimated that less than 10 activists will qualify for the pardon.

They are all wanted by the gardai in connection with terrorist crimes carried out before the Good Friday agreement in April 1998.

But Justice Minister Michael McDowell last night confirmed that the "amnesty" group will not include two prime suspects for the murder of Det Garda Jerry McCabe in June 1996.

Fingerprint evidence would have formed a key part of the state case against the two men - a veteran republican who had been living in Co Clare but moved to Spain after the shooting and a Cork man now living in South America.

Gardai have also been anxious to interview a man they believe sanctioned the abortive Adare robbery which led to the McCabe murder.

He had been living in Tallaght but fled to Spain after being demoted from his post as officer commanding the Provisional IRA in Dublin.

Mr McDowell said last night: "It is the clearly stated position of the Government that those already convicted of offences related to the cowardly killing of Garda Jerry McCabe and the wounding of Garda Ben O'Sullivan will not benefit from early release.

"Equally, arrangements being proposed in this jurisdiction for dealing with what have become known as the on-the-runs will not apply to persons in respect of these offences," he added.

Qualifying persons must apply to an eligibility body which is being set up to examine their applications. The body will then make recommendations on a pardon to President Mary McAleese.

The British government yesterday introduced its legislation, which will mean that activists on the run from the authorities in Northern Ireland can apply for a certificate guaranteeing them they can return there without fear of being arrested or jailed for their offence.

A special tribunal with the same powers as a non-jury crown court will be established to consider the evidence against them and they will not be forced to appear.

If convicted, they will be allowed to remain free on licence.

The group is understood to include a man alleged to have been responsible for the Enniskillen bomb blast and another accused of murdering three police officers.

The suspected killer of an 11-year-old boy in an explosion is also on the list, while the highest-profile republican is Sinn Fein lobbyist Rita O'Hare, who was active in the United States during the summer, explaining the IRA statement.

[Stoat]

The group is understood to include a man alleged to have been responsible for the Enniskillen bomb blast and another accused of murdering three police officers.

The suspected killer of an 11-year-old boy in an explosion is also on the list, while the highest-profile republican is Sinn Fein lobbyist Rita O'Hare, who was active in the United States during the summer, explaining the IRA statement.

 

So no justice for these murders then? 

Here's an article outlining the carnage of the Eniskillen bomb:

BBC ON THIS DAY 8 1987 Bomb kills 11 at Enniskillen

1987: Bomb kills 11 at Enniskillen

A bomb has exploded during a Remembrance Day service at Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, killing 11 people.

It is the highest death toll in a terrorist attack in Northern Ireland for five years.

At least 63 people were injured in the blast, nine of them seriously.

The device went off without warning at 1045 GMT at the town's cenotaph where people had gathered to pay their respects to the war dead.

The bomb is believed to have been hidden in a nearby hall.

It blew out one of the building's walls, showering the area with debris and burying some people in several feet of rubble.

The dead included three married couples, a retired policeman and a nurse.

	It's really desecrating the dead and a blot on mankind

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
 

Thirteen children are among the injured.

The Queen has sent her "heartfelt sympathy" to the people of Enniskillen.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has said the bombing was "utterly barbaric".

"It's really desecrating the dead and a blot on mankind," Mrs Thatcher said.

The head of the Church of Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, who was at Enniskillen said he "wished the bombers could have seen what I have seen".

As yet no organisation has said they planted the device but the chief constable of Northern Ireland has said he has no doubt the bomb was the work of the IRA.

Enniskillen is a town with a long military tradition having sent many soldiers to the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars.

Its proximity to the border with the Irish Republic, a ready escape route, means it is an easy target for the IRA.

SEE ALSO (Related articles):

Telegraph News New law 'gives amnesty to 150 Irish terrorists'

Britain, UK news from The Times and The Sunday Times - Times Online

 

 

[kellynla]

"Justice?"

where is the "justice" for the MILLIONS OF IRISH CATHOLICS who lost their land, their families and/or were murdered, raped and starved to death by the Brits???

Try and tell my grandparents about your "justice"...

give me a friggin' break!
you have to be the most naive or the dumbest person on the friggin' planet!

Let us all know when your Brit buddies pack up and go home.

"Justice?" Yea, I've got your "justice" swinging!

[stylin19a]

Hear, Hear ! "Up the IRA".

Some in my family still can't get past Cromwell- that dirty, rotten,bastage !

[Irish_Thatcherite]

What about the thirty years of TERRORISM that Sinn Fein/IRA perpetrated against Irish people?

And what about the DICTATORSHIP that Sinn Fein/IRA will establish in MY country after the next election?

[Irish_Thatcherite]

They are terrorists! How dare they pardon them!!!

Oh, and guess who is here defending Hibernofascists!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Why are you defending terrorists? I'm an Irishman - I know what they are!!

[MetalHeadConservative35]

where is the "justice" for the MILLIONS OF IRISH CATHOLICS who lost their land, their families and/or were murdered, raped and starved to death by the Brits???

at last...the truth of the conflict,

the IRA were monsters,but the brits have no right over ireland!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Stop living in the past, the British and Irish people are friends - the IRA are terrorists!!!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

The idiots are flocking to this thread, so I see!! What's worse, you couldn't teach them simple logic!

[RichInOC]

A modest proposal: Invite the "Green" paramilitaries and the "Orange" paramilitaries out to Fort Irwin/Twentynine Palms/wherever for live fire exercises. Allow them to Insist they fight it out to the last man. I call it "Operation Kilkenny Cats".

[stylin19a]

Sorry... I meant the:
The Provos
Red Hand
IPLO
IRSP
INLA
CIRA
RIRA
or whatever the flavor of the day is, from either\any side.

God gave the gift of alcohol to the Irish, so they couldn't rule the world.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

i understand that,

what i dont understand is why can't the irish be independent from the UK?

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I think the name of a terrorist group is irrelevant, when compared with their atrocities!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Ireland IS independent from the UK, and uniting the six counties of Northern Ireland with the Republic would be insanity - an all Ireland civil war would ensue!

But then we are heading for a civil war anyway when Sinn Fein/IRA get elected to the Irish government and destroy Irish democracy.

[aculeus]

Thanks for the ping.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Your welcome - unfortunately, we have the usual suspects here defending Irish terrorists/traitors!!

[stylin19a]

amen...

[Irish_Thatcherite]

OK, I took you up wrong, sorry! Blame post #2!!

[stylin19a]

I suppose I should have used <*sarcasm off>.

Some of the elders in my family have Irish Alzheimer's..
they forget everything but the grudges.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I see!