Calls for investigation into 1984 attack on Adams

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has instructed his lawyer to write to the Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan following the publication of a news report in Belfast which links the RUC police Special Branch to the gun attack on him in March 1984.

Mr. Adams was hit five times and three others with him in the car were also shot.

According to the report, a former retired RUC detective has confirmed that a UDA informant, who was a double agent working for Special Branch, told his handlers a week before the attack that it was to take place.

Commenting on the report, Mr. Adams said:

“This is not the first time that a source from within the British system has confirmed that the UDA gang who carried out the attack were colluding with the Special Branch and British Military Intelligence.

In his book ‘Big Boy’s Rules’ BBC reporter Mark Urban confirmed some years ago that a British Military Intelligence source confirmed to him that a UDA agent had tipped them off about a plan to assassinate me.

I have asked my solicitor to write to Nuala O’Loan and ask that his latest information be thoroughly investigated.”

STEVENS COVER-UP

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Truth issues Philip McGuigan has said that the fact the British system has published in full the John Stevens report into allegations of British Intelligence involvement in the death of Princess Diana in Paris ten years ago set a precedent for the immediate publication of the London police chief’s two reports into collusion in the six counties.

“John Stevens has completed three separate inquiries into the involvement of British State agencies, including the Special Branch in the murder of citizens in the six counties,” said Mr McGuigan.

“All but one of these reports have been completely suppressed while the one eventually published was heavily edited. At the launch of the last report Stevens did however publicly acknowledge that collusion happened.

“A clear precedent has been set today by the British State. They cannot have it both ways. They cannot simply decide to publish reports which support their position or vindicate their agencies. It is now time to publish in full the Stevens reports into British State murder here and for the policy of concealment and cover-up to end.”

FULLERTON PRESSURE

In Dublin, Sinn Féin’s parliamentary leader Caoimhghin O Caolain again called for a full public inquiry into the murder of Donegal Sinn Féin councillor Eddie Fullerton at his home in May 1991.

Last month, it was announced that The Police Ombudsman in the North of Ireland, Nuala O’Loan, is to mount an investigation into the murder. Senior investigators from the office of ombudsman Nuala O’Loan have already interviewed the victim’s family.

Mr Fullerton was shot dead in front of his wife at his Buncrana, Co Donegal, home in an attack blamed on the UDA. The murder indicated a sophistication and a training which presumably could only have been available to those who had been trained very likely by the British crown forces in the North.

Mr Fullerton served 12 years as a Sinn Féin councillor on Donegal County Council and Buncrana Urban Town Council. His son Albert had spearheaded a 15-year family campaign for justice until his death in a road accident last March.

The family raised fresh demands for a public inquiry at an hour-long meeting with Mr Ahern at Government Buildings last month.

The issue was also raised by Sinn Féin at the multi-party talks at St Andrews in Scotland last month.

Urgent Appeal