Special Branch targeting vulnerable family members

A dissident republican has accused police Special Branch of targeting vulnerable members of his family to inform against him.

Kevin Murphy, a member of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, said officers had tried to coerce up to a dozen of his relatives and close friends to supply information about him during the past year.

The latest incident involved the 38 year-old’s sister-in-law Emma Corr.

She said Special Branch officers had stopped her on two occasions in Coalisland last week and asked her to inform on her brother-in-law.

“My sister-in-law has nothing to do with anything and is now frightened to even leave her home alone,” the County Tyrone man said.

“She has had to be treated by a doctor because of this harassment and has now lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman.

“This is part of an ongoing campaign against vulnerable members of my family and friends to turn them against me.

“I’m an Irish republican and make no apology for that but it’s wrong for Special Branch to be putting young women who are not connected to anything under such intense psychological pressure.”

In 2003 Mr Murphy was one of four men acquitted of membership of the breakaway ‘Real IRA’ after the trial judge ruled it was not an illegal organisation.

One of the four was Gareth O’Connor, who was later executed as an informer.

A close friend of Mr Murphy said he had also been approached by Garda Special Branch in the 26 Counties to inform on dissidents.

Mr Dynes, who now lives in County Monaghan, said he had been offered 10,000 pounds to inform on Mr Murphy and others.

“I’ve faced repeated harassment and offers of thousands of pounds from Garda Special Branch to inform on ex-prisoners,” he said.

People had every right to be Irish republicans, he said.

“It’s an ongoing campaign against people who they see as resisting British rule in Ireland.”

Urgent Appeal