DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(14 of 17).
Billy Wright felt the Irish (ie Free State) Constitution " ... justified the murder of British citizens , and having spent many years in the H-Blocks and listened to young nationalists singing their sings , believe me they draw their opinions because of their education , and because they are brought up to believe they have a right , because of that constitution , to take away this land . "
Wright was back in prison last year (1997) , listening to those songs ; he was given eight years for threatening to kill a Portadown woman , Gwen Reed , whom he'd known for 20 years . The incident happened in Portadown , just two weeks before I first met him - and heard his many denials of any involvement in violence .
What happened was that seven masked men , armed with sledgehammers and pickaxes , attacked the boyfriend of the woman's daughter , in a punishment beating . The woman's daughter , Nicola , tried to shield her boyfriend , and was injured . The next day , Billy Wright told Gwen Reed that " ... I'm going to fucking shoot you .. " after he'd also warned her son that " I'm coming after you . "
The judge said he found Wright's evidence " utterly unconvincing . "
(MORE LATER).
STONE COLD .
Michael Stone is infamous for his attack on a republican funeral at Belfast's Milltown cemetery . By his own count , he has murdered four men and had a hand in the deaths of six others . He says his war is over - but he still expects to meet a violent end .
By Andrew Lynch .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , July 2003 , pages 34, 36 , and 38 .
Re-published here in 13 parts .
(1 of 13).
Michael Stone is feeling the heat ; " God , it's desperate , " are the first words he says to me when he comes to the 'phone , his voice full of Belfast good cheer . " It's a really warm day here in London and I'm just stifling . "
He laughs mischievously : " Of course , I'm wearing heavy body armour like I always do - an old girlfriend of mine bought us a matching set of 'his and hers' . That does'nt help when you're walking around ! " Given that by his own admission he's murdered four men and played a hand in the killing of six others , you might think that Stone is lucky to be walking around anywhere .
On the other hand , the way he describes it , his does'nt sound like much of a life ; his homes in the English Midlands , Belfast and Northern France are crammed with surveillance devices and protected by steel bars . He eats only food he has prepared himself .
He cannot enter a strange room without mentally scanning the exits .......
(MORE LATER).
WHAT IS SINN FEIN ? - Sinn Fein spokesman gives exclusive interview to C.B.C. TV and Radio network .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 3.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
6. Q - Is Sinn Fein the political wing of the Resistance Fighters ?
A - Sinn Fein and the Resistance Fighters are two separate bodies working towards the achievement of the same end . Sinn Fein is an organisation of civilians confining themselves to political methods .
7. Q - If you have candidates elected , what do you propose to do and what are your hopes for the future ?
A - We will continue to organise so that we can give the people the opportunity of again electing a majority of Sinn Fein candidates with a mandate to establish a National Government having jurisdiction over all 32 Counties of Ireland . At the present rate of progress such an opportunity would not seem to be far ahead . Only an Irish Government based on Christian principles and traditions can save this country ultimately from all ungodly " isms " that afflict the world today .
[END of 'WHAT IS SINN FEIN '].
(Tomorrow - 'NO COMPROMISE' : Editorial Comment from the same source).
