Republican News · Thursday 2 May 2002

Ballymena Constable Bob Young (left), dressed in his American peace suit, and the Mayor of Medina are snapped running away from an unexpected Irish Northern Aid protest

RUC: Unmasked in Ohio

A Chairde,

We read your article "Ballymena RUC/PSNI picketed" with great interest. When they showed up here in Ohio, disguised as decent police officers, we held protests too.

In October 2000, Constable Bob Young and Inspector Deirdre Bones came from Ballymena to "exchange community policing ideas" with the Medina Police Department.

Thanks to massive media coverage, our protest exposed their visit for what it was: a charm offensive designed to give them the appearance of respectability and to make the calls for reform seem unnecessary.

Newsrooms had all the facts about the RUC: human rights abuse reports since 1998; plastic bullets statistics; involvement in Robert Hamill's murder; Special Branch collusion with the UDA and their habit of delivering loyalist death threats to Sinn Fein representatives, but never protection.

Several newspapers printed damning comments: "I lost a cousin in North Belfast to the RUC in 1994 and another cousin was badly beaten by them in March." "I've witnessed hundreds of people being beaten by the RUC." "I'm infuriated to think that we let the RUC into our country. I know people who have been terribly abused by the RUC."

But they still came back (even after we forwarded the news clippings to their Chief Superintendent).

A year later, Young appeared at Kent State University, ostensibly to honour local individuals who have helped support the Irish peace process. He was described as a "cross-community peace officer helping to build a peaceful future for Northern Ireland". The irony was tremendous: a member of the RUC, the greatest obstacle to justice in the north of Ireland, taking part in a peace-related programme in Ohio.

We provided an update on the actions and inactions of Ballymena officers since the "learning experience" in Medina: nationalist savagely beaten by RUC on Williams Street, the RUC ignore UDA/UVF violence in Fisherwick Estate, loyalists target Catholics schools and churches. And on and on.

The SDLP Mayor of Coleraine accompanied Young on this trip. How sad to see a nationalist politician team up with the force that continues to harm his own citizens.

When will the SDLP come to its senses and stop defending the crimes of the RUC/PSNI? Clearly, the RUC by any name will persist in its corruption until the Patten reforms are fully implemented.

We wouldn't tolerate the RUC were they in charge of our streets; we will not allow them to get away with publicity stunts in the state of Ohio.

Pat Kempton
Cleveland Irish Northern Aid
Concord, Ohio
USA

The Dublin/Monaghan bombings

A Chairde,

Almost 28 years after the worst atrocity in the history of this state, the Barron inquiry into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings is still seeking more information from the British authorities, according to the Taoiseach. Mr Ahern said that Mr Justice Barron hoped to complete his report by the autumn, but that he was still seeking more documents and information from Britain.

This comes after it was revealed that British legal authorities had been planning to plead a defence of sovereign immunity against any suit by relatives of the victims of the bombings. This is the same defence used by Chilean dictator Pinochet while fighting extradition from Britain.

Several victims of this "forgotten massacre" came from here in Finglas. It is a scandal that so little information has been forthcoming from the British since the first request in January 2000. What have they got to hide?

The background to the bombings was the Sunningdale Agreement, which was opposed by loyalists and elements of the British Forces. On 17 May 1974 at 5.30pm, four bombs exploded in Parnell St, Talbot St, South Leinster St and in Monaghan, killing 33 and injuring 250.

In his book "The Forgotten Massacre", author Don Mullan had spoken to US bomb experts who said that for three bombs to explode with 100% combustion within 90 seconds indicated very professional expertise, which the UVF (which claimed the bombs 17 years later!) did not have then (or since). A former Garda Commissioner also said that loyalists must have had outside assistance. Within one week, Gardaí had the names of eight suspects, all linked to British Military Intelligence.

In an ITV programme on the bombings, "The Hidden Hand", former British Minister, Merlyn Reece said that he had never heard of the eight names and they were never charged, arrested or even questioned. The relatives want to know were the names handed over and what action was taken by the Irish government to have them questioned but they have been refused. Compare this response with Lockerbie where the British and US government imposed sanctions on Libya until they handed over two suspects.

Cllr Dessie Ellis
Finglas,
Dublin 11

Music notes?

A Chairde,

I am a member of Ógra in Waterford and I was just wondering if anyone could help me? I'm looking for sheet music for up to date rebel songs (Irish Brigade, Blarney Pilgrims, etc) that are possible to play on the tin whistle.

Kevin Blanche
39 Farron Park
Upper Grange
Waterford

You've been done

A Chairde,

I thought Burke, Lawlor and Haughey had done just about everybody, but apparently Bertie sees more opportunity: "Much done, more to do."

James Farrell,
Malahide,
County Dublin

A Chairde,

Living in Ballybofey, I know republicans commemorate the Drumboe Martyrs annually. Perhaps your readers who have access to the Internet might care to have a look at our community-based website, which (I am pleased to say) has an excellent and extensive section dedicated to the Drumboe Martyrs.

The URL is: http://www.finnvalley.ie/

For the specific Martyrs section, go to: http://www.finnvalley.ie/history/martyrs/

Please also feel free to post to our message boards. We are a relatively new project and can use some support.

Lilian Douglas
Finn Valley Online
County Donegal