THE INEVITABILITY OF SECTARIAN COLLISION .......
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) believes one of the clearest signs that the two sides were now irreconcilable was the low vote received by 'The Workers Party' in Nationalist working-class areas - " This signifies to Protestants the rejection by the Roman Catholic and Nationalist community of non-sectarian Socialism , an old-fashioned Republicanism - if you could call it that - based on the ideals of Wolfe Tone and company which believed that Socialism could be implemented in Ireland accommodating Protestants and Catholics alike . ('1169.... ' Comment - We presume Mr Seawright was simply being mischievous in linking the Stickies ('WP') with Wolfe Tone ...)
Provisionalism is dramatically different ; it is something rising up and saying quite clearly that there can be no real accommodation for Protestants or for a people who wish to live as a separate entity on this island - their culture , their identity , would not be recognised in the event of the Provisionals taking over . " ( ' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...again : another incorrect 'assumption' by George Seawright - he no doubt used this line to 'encourage' loyalists to attack their nationalist neighbours ie ''get them before they get you " . Seawright and his type were part of the problem - not part of the solution . He went on to claim that the 'Brits Out!' slogan , as used by Irish Republicans , was directed at ordinary unionists and loyalists as well as at the British military and political presence - yet another incorrect 'assumption' . )
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
' MAGILL ' Magazine : " Getting involved in electoral politics necessitates explaining and arguing politics , things get more complicated , the old simplicities are not enough . Have these developments not created a gap between the leadership and its older rank and file , particularly in the South ? "
Danny Morrison : " I think Sinn Fein in the South has undergone a lot of developments as well . It's not just a paper-selling organisation and collecting for prisoners . It has started to get involved . Our successes are probably more marked in Dublin than in other places . But there has been an influx of new members , especially as a result of the European election , new cummain flourishing in different areas and that's good for the organisation .
Now , the social content of the organisation has not changed . Although there have been a lot of people coming in who don't directly come from Republican families , who have never been in jail - I mean , I would be afraid that too much of an influx of that type of people would upset the balance inside the Republican organisation . ( ' 1169 .... ' Comment - ....and that is exactly what happened : the 'new members' were not educated on the politics of the Movement - they were 'militant Nationalists' more so than 'Republicans' and , within a few years of this interview , the Provisional Sinn Fein leadership 'pointed' those new members towards a 'nationalist solution' (ie like the SDLP and Fianna Fail) and were then able to declare , to the objectors within - ' ....but that's where the members want to go ..' . A sleight of hand operation . )
And you would have people coming in who would perhaps be 'trendy' , who would not have had that long history of involvement that's actually the anchor of our stability and our consistency . And that might push things too quickly . ( ' 1169 .... ' Comment - ....so it was apparently acceptable to "push things..." slowly ... ?) The leadership can't get ahead of the grassroots . It has to bring the grassroots along with it . We face many problems in the 26 Counties : the policy of abstentionism obviously handicaps our potential for gathering votes . ( ' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...but not , apparently , regarding Westminster , it seems ... !) But abstentionism has been a very important issue with the Movement down the years . You don't change abstentionism as a result of all these new people coming in and getting a majority - ( ' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...you 'should'nt ' , Danny . Not "don't " or 'can't ' ... ) that's why you can't allow people to come in and change the social content of the organisation . ( ' 1169 .... ' Comment - ...unless the leadership themselves are in favour of such a move , of course ....)
Any difficult issues which we face in the months and years ahead , we're going to have to resolve them on the basis of being completely united and with almost total agreement about how you go forward . " ( ' 1169 .... ' Comment - ...two years after those fine words , Mr Morrison was one of those who opened the doors at the 1986 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis to let the terms "completely united .. " and "...with almost total agreement .. " escape . )
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
Stephen Moore ; two Detectives : in his own words , this is what happened ....
... " My parents arrived Sunday evening around 5 PM . I had a half-hour visit with them . I was interviewed by two guards from Clones before my parents arrived . They were extremely nice . They said more or less that I was an embarrassment to my family and "...you can't get away with this sort of thing around Clones .. " . They asked me if I wanted to see my parents and I said "yes" . When my parents left , the interview continued .
There was no ill-treatment whatsoever . The interview lasted until about half six/seven o'clock , as far as I can remember . Two other Detectives came in that I did'nt know . They did'nt stay very long . There was no ill-treatment . I was put back in my cell then . Sometime around eight o'clock , a Detective came into the cell . He told me to get up and follow the other Detectives that were outside the door . He turned left and went up a stairs . There was a young Detective in front of me on the way up the stairs . When I was going up the stairs the older Detective behind me hit me a slap across the back of the head .
I had an idea something was going to happen , I knew they were'nt taking me up the stairs for nothing . It was the first time during the time I was in Monaghan Barracks that I was being taken upstairs . I was brought to a small box room . The minute I got into the room , they started kicking and punching . They started leathering into me . They had a statement written out and they wanted me to sign it . The beating that them two fellows gave me went on for about one and a half hours . In that space of time , they placed a cardboard box over my head when they kicked me and punched me . I did'nt know where it was coming from . One would twist my arm up my back while the other would hit me .
When they'd hit me , I'd move - one of them would grab me and twist my arm up my back to keep me in the one position where I could'nt avoid being hit . They had a pen and placed it into my hand and one would grab my hand and force it down on the statement , to try and make me sign it . They kept referring to "..we've had harder men in here .. " and they gave names of people who , they say , broke ....... "
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, August 18, 2005
THE INEVITABILITY OF SECTARIAN COLLISION .......
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) says that for a Loyalist politician to have any role (with the Loyalist paramilitaries ) he would have to be similar to Gerry Adams - " There is no contradiction between Adams being a political leader , which he is - much as I'd like to see him put out of the way - and also saying that in some ways he's the spokesman or representative of an armed force . "
He also warns against underestimating the strength of Provisional Republicanism - " The Protestants have to approach the situation keeping in mind that they're dealing with people who are well geared up , people who , if they have any sense at all , one must reasonably assume have become an armed camp in the Republican ghettoes over the last 14 or 15 years . We know that they can hold areas but for how long we don't know . The idea of running over them , wiping them out , realistically , is'nt on anymore .
That was something that prevailed in the 1970's - it was the 1969 mentality - ' ...if only the (British) army had'nt come in ... if only the (British) army would get out ...we'd fix them , we'd run over the top of them and wipe them out ... ' . It's a load of old nonsense . "
George Seawright scares himself when he talks like that . He foresees the North ending up like the Lebanon ... "...with armed camps within the present partitioned boundary , people holding areas for generations to come and holding areas unless someone moves in and takes them . The only person who would want what I have just said as a possible eventuality is some kind of psychopath , someone devoid of humanitarian feelings . But what I am saying is that these two irreconcilable forces in the North of Ireland have now reached a peak , a situation where such things could possibly be unavoidable ....... "
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
' MAGILL ' Magazine : " Ostensibly , there has been a change from left to right in Sinn Fein , yet you say there is no conflict , no disagreement , and the main effect seems to be a more enthusiastic approach to electoral politics . Have there really been any political changes , then ? "
Danny Morrison : " There is a change , of course . There's been a change in the politics and a lot of people have been given their head and the Movement is more open to discussion and debate and to persuasion . For example , we were opposed to the Amendment campaign in the Free State last year ...."
' MAGILL ' Magazine : "....but some of your members campaigned for it .. "
Danny Morrison : "...but , sure , you have to allow that ... you can't over-rule people's personal beliefs , even in a revolutionary organisation . But the point about it is ... the Movement's open political position , for example on divorce , is that there should be divorce allowed in the 26 counties , there should be contraception in the 26 counties .
In terms of ten years ago - in January 1974 on the front page of 'Republican News' there was an article against contraception , right ? Front page article , England was trying to corrupt the morals of the Irish people , right ? I mean ...that has been a big change .
But what the Sinn Fein electoral intervention has done has been to create a network , an organisation , of all these advice centres , of people who are'nt sitting on the sidelines . It's not a question of if you can't join the IRA you're just an observer . "
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
Stephen Moore ; two Detectives : in his own words , this is what happened .....
... " One of the Detectives would continuously rub the back of my neck and the sides of my face until it got red and sore . The taller of the two told me that if he ever seen me with a stick in my hand he would shoot first and ask questions later .
Then the two fellows went into all sorts of humiliation . They tried to humiliate me in various ways . They slapped me around the back of the head . That went on for a couple of hours . They threw water in my face to sort of wake me up . I was ignoring them . In the 'Doctor's Room' there was a sink and a tap . They would hand me a cup of water and say 'here drink that' and then they would flick the top of it into my face .
Plunkett Taaffe , the Solicitor , called sometime in the afternoon . I made a complaint to him about the way they were treating me . I made a statement in the presence of the two Detectives , exactly the same statement that I had made on Saturday night . That was , that I did not wish to make a statement now or in the near future . I found out who the gardai were at that point . Plunkett Taaffe called for a doctor to be called to examine me . I had a cut on my lip . I can't remember how I got it .
Doctor Caraher arrived . She examined me and found no marks except a small cut on my lip . She left after about ten or fifteen minutes . I told her there was nothing wrong with me ....... "
(MORE LATER).
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) says that for a Loyalist politician to have any role (with the Loyalist paramilitaries ) he would have to be similar to Gerry Adams - " There is no contradiction between Adams being a political leader , which he is - much as I'd like to see him put out of the way - and also saying that in some ways he's the spokesman or representative of an armed force . "
He also warns against underestimating the strength of Provisional Republicanism - " The Protestants have to approach the situation keeping in mind that they're dealing with people who are well geared up , people who , if they have any sense at all , one must reasonably assume have become an armed camp in the Republican ghettoes over the last 14 or 15 years . We know that they can hold areas but for how long we don't know . The idea of running over them , wiping them out , realistically , is'nt on anymore .
That was something that prevailed in the 1970's - it was the 1969 mentality - ' ...if only the (British) army had'nt come in ... if only the (British) army would get out ...we'd fix them , we'd run over the top of them and wipe them out ... ' . It's a load of old nonsense . "
George Seawright scares himself when he talks like that . He foresees the North ending up like the Lebanon ... "...with armed camps within the present partitioned boundary , people holding areas for generations to come and holding areas unless someone moves in and takes them . The only person who would want what I have just said as a possible eventuality is some kind of psychopath , someone devoid of humanitarian feelings . But what I am saying is that these two irreconcilable forces in the North of Ireland have now reached a peak , a situation where such things could possibly be unavoidable ....... "
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
' MAGILL ' Magazine : " Ostensibly , there has been a change from left to right in Sinn Fein , yet you say there is no conflict , no disagreement , and the main effect seems to be a more enthusiastic approach to electoral politics . Have there really been any political changes , then ? "
Danny Morrison : " There is a change , of course . There's been a change in the politics and a lot of people have been given their head and the Movement is more open to discussion and debate and to persuasion . For example , we were opposed to the Amendment campaign in the Free State last year ...."
' MAGILL ' Magazine : "....but some of your members campaigned for it .. "
Danny Morrison : "...but , sure , you have to allow that ... you can't over-rule people's personal beliefs , even in a revolutionary organisation . But the point about it is ... the Movement's open political position , for example on divorce , is that there should be divorce allowed in the 26 counties , there should be contraception in the 26 counties .
In terms of ten years ago - in January 1974 on the front page of 'Republican News' there was an article against contraception , right ? Front page article , England was trying to corrupt the morals of the Irish people , right ? I mean ...that has been a big change .
But what the Sinn Fein electoral intervention has done has been to create a network , an organisation , of all these advice centres , of people who are'nt sitting on the sidelines . It's not a question of if you can't join the IRA you're just an observer . "
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
Stephen Moore ; two Detectives : in his own words , this is what happened .....
... " One of the Detectives would continuously rub the back of my neck and the sides of my face until it got red and sore . The taller of the two told me that if he ever seen me with a stick in my hand he would shoot first and ask questions later .
Then the two fellows went into all sorts of humiliation . They tried to humiliate me in various ways . They slapped me around the back of the head . That went on for a couple of hours . They threw water in my face to sort of wake me up . I was ignoring them . In the 'Doctor's Room' there was a sink and a tap . They would hand me a cup of water and say 'here drink that' and then they would flick the top of it into my face .
Plunkett Taaffe , the Solicitor , called sometime in the afternoon . I made a complaint to him about the way they were treating me . I made a statement in the presence of the two Detectives , exactly the same statement that I had made on Saturday night . That was , that I did not wish to make a statement now or in the near future . I found out who the gardai were at that point . Plunkett Taaffe called for a doctor to be called to examine me . I had a cut on my lip . I can't remember how I got it .
Doctor Caraher arrived . She examined me and found no marks except a small cut on my lip . She left after about ten or fifteen minutes . I told her there was nothing wrong with me ....... "
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
THE INEVITABILITY OF SECTARIAN COLLISION .......
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) thinks that the Unionists' use of 'bluff' is important in Republican thinking - " I believe that within the Provisional leadership there are those who believe that basically the Protestants are bluffing and will not put up a sustained armed resistance . "
What this fails to take into account , says Seawright , is the hard core from areas like the Shankill Road and East Belfast who will fight a united Ireland to the death - " The only question is how many of that type of Loyalist would rise to the fore ? " Those determined to fight , Seawright believes , could be incorporated into a totally overhauled , broad-based Loyalist paramilitary structure .
He admits that at present in many Loyalist circles , the paramilitaries are a 'dirty word' for gangsterism and racketeering , and law-abiding Protestants want nothing to do with them . But he goes on - " What will happen in the 1980's , if Loyalists are to get their act together , is that paramilitarism is going to have to become acceptable to the broad mass of the Loyalist people . In that situation you could have a Loyalist paramilitary force working in conjunction with a political brain and the goal could be a provisional government ... " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
'MAGILL' magazine : " But the 'left-right' division remains . The 'right' are still there and the 'left' has yet to prove that its ideas are paying off . "
Danny Morrison ; " I think it has paid off . If you look at things from October 1982 onwards there have been occasions when , say for example , the IRA for whatever reason has'nt been as active , perhaps through some form of difficulties or other , for maybe a month at a time . You've had Sinn Fein electoral results making a big impact and demoralising the Brits and making the news in Britain and internationally , both in October 1982 and June 1983 .
Ken Livingstone's visit here in February 1983 , Gerry Adams going to London after the exclusion order was lifted in July 1983 - all of those things have been very important in terms of the struggle .
I think the Republican Movement , through having elected representatives , has increased credibility . It does make it easier - for example , Clive Soley was here talking to us two weeks ago - that makes it easier for people like that to engage in discussion and to realise that we have'nt got horns and to realise that what we are saying , that there is validity to it . "
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
In his own words , this is Stephen Moore's description of what happened to him in garda custody -
- " They put me in a squad car and I was taken to Monaghan . There were two gardai in the front and two in the back and I was in the middle . I asked to make a telephone call . There was no problems . They said OK , like . I rang home . I told my mother and father where I was , that I had been transferred to Monaghan . I was interviewed by about four Detectives , in pairs of two , until about ten (o'clock) as far as I can make out . My watch , my gutties (shoes) and a few bob in my pocket was taken .
They were asking me about a hi-jacking of a Post Office van at Clontivern , County Fermanagh . There was no ill treatment . There was no problems . Plunkett Taaffe , Solicitor , arrived in . He advised me to make a statement to the gardai . I made it . I said in the statement that I did not wish to make a statement now or in the near future . That was it . When Plunkett Taaffe left , I was put back in my cell .
That was the end of Saturday night . No problems . I slept between twelve and nine . I had no worries , I slept . My family visited me on Sunday morning for about half an hour . When they left , I was taken to a place called the ' Doctor's Room ' . I suppose it was about eleven o' clock on Sunday . As far as times are concerned , it's guesswork . I had no watch . There was an interview with two Detectives . I did'nt know their names at that stage . They had a statement written out . They were trying to force me to sign it . The statement was in reference to the hi-jacking . They were trying to force me to sign it . They were pushing me from one to the other ....... " .......
(MORE LATER).
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) thinks that the Unionists' use of 'bluff' is important in Republican thinking - " I believe that within the Provisional leadership there are those who believe that basically the Protestants are bluffing and will not put up a sustained armed resistance . "
What this fails to take into account , says Seawright , is the hard core from areas like the Shankill Road and East Belfast who will fight a united Ireland to the death - " The only question is how many of that type of Loyalist would rise to the fore ? " Those determined to fight , Seawright believes , could be incorporated into a totally overhauled , broad-based Loyalist paramilitary structure .
He admits that at present in many Loyalist circles , the paramilitaries are a 'dirty word' for gangsterism and racketeering , and law-abiding Protestants want nothing to do with them . But he goes on - " What will happen in the 1980's , if Loyalists are to get their act together , is that paramilitarism is going to have to become acceptable to the broad mass of the Loyalist people . In that situation you could have a Loyalist paramilitary force working in conjunction with a political brain and the goal could be a provisional government ... " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
'MAGILL' magazine : " But the 'left-right' division remains . The 'right' are still there and the 'left' has yet to prove that its ideas are paying off . "
Danny Morrison ; " I think it has paid off . If you look at things from October 1982 onwards there have been occasions when , say for example , the IRA for whatever reason has'nt been as active , perhaps through some form of difficulties or other , for maybe a month at a time . You've had Sinn Fein electoral results making a big impact and demoralising the Brits and making the news in Britain and internationally , both in October 1982 and June 1983 .
Ken Livingstone's visit here in February 1983 , Gerry Adams going to London after the exclusion order was lifted in July 1983 - all of those things have been very important in terms of the struggle .
I think the Republican Movement , through having elected representatives , has increased credibility . It does make it easier - for example , Clive Soley was here talking to us two weeks ago - that makes it easier for people like that to engage in discussion and to realise that we have'nt got horns and to realise that what we are saying , that there is validity to it . "
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
In his own words , this is Stephen Moore's description of what happened to him in garda custody -
- " They put me in a squad car and I was taken to Monaghan . There were two gardai in the front and two in the back and I was in the middle . I asked to make a telephone call . There was no problems . They said OK , like . I rang home . I told my mother and father where I was , that I had been transferred to Monaghan . I was interviewed by about four Detectives , in pairs of two , until about ten (o'clock) as far as I can make out . My watch , my gutties (shoes) and a few bob in my pocket was taken .
They were asking me about a hi-jacking of a Post Office van at Clontivern , County Fermanagh . There was no ill treatment . There was no problems . Plunkett Taaffe , Solicitor , arrived in . He advised me to make a statement to the gardai . I made it . I said in the statement that I did not wish to make a statement now or in the near future . That was it . When Plunkett Taaffe left , I was put back in my cell .
That was the end of Saturday night . No problems . I slept between twelve and nine . I had no worries , I slept . My family visited me on Sunday morning for about half an hour . When they left , I was taken to a place called the ' Doctor's Room ' . I suppose it was about eleven o' clock on Sunday . As far as times are concerned , it's guesswork . I had no watch . There was an interview with two Detectives . I did'nt know their names at that stage . They had a statement written out . They were trying to force me to sign it . The statement was in reference to the hi-jacking . They were trying to force me to sign it . They were pushing me from one to the other ....... " .......
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
THE INEVITABILITY OF SECTARIAN COLLISION .......
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) sees the Northern Assembly as being kept in existence to play a very different role : " What's going to happen in the future is that Loyalists are going to have to take care of events themselves , and the more areas they take over , the stronger they will be . ( ' 1169 ... ' Comment - "...take care of events ... take over areas ..." - so Westminster is to be 'obeyed' only when it suits the Loyalists to do so !)
Loyalists have pointed out that if they could ever be in a strong enough position to operate from Stormont , give orders from Stormont , then they would be in a very strong position indeed , the position of a provisional government . The 1980's will see those who desire and believe that they can bring victory about through the democratic process , through standing for election and holding office , exhaust themselves . "
One of the problems of Unionist politicians , George Seawright claims , is that the British government has increasingly seen them as "... a pack of bluffers .. " . He believes , for example , that if the British had called the Unionist bluff in 1912 and made the North go along with Irish Home Rule , the Northern Unionist people would have split : " The hard-line , working-class people would have taken up the gun and fought , but I believe the middle-class and upper-class leadership would probably have defected and taken themselves off .
They were quite happy as long as it was a bluff , as long as it did'nt cost them anything . "
Thus he sees the Unionist political leadership in the 1980's eventually having to face a choice ; they can recognise that "... there is nothing more to be gained through the democratic process to maintain the Protestant position in Northern Ireland (sic) , and bow out . Or they can sit down with the leadership of the entire Loyalist community and say how exactly are we going to react , and what exactly are we going to do .
And , if it's a case of bluffing then that bluff is going to be called and that bluff's going to be defeated ....... " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
' MAGILL ' magazine : " The involvement in electoral politics was paralleled by the rise of a new leadership in Sinn Fein : young , leftwing , Northern . While accepting the change , some of the older generations such as Ruairi O Bradaigh and Daithi O Conaill made no secret of their disapproval . Has the election setback affected that division ? "
Danny Morrison : " No . I mean nobody is questioning the correctness of the electoral intervention . We did'nt improve on our percentage share of the vote - that has'nt added grist to the mill , that has'nt strengthened a non-existent opposition to the policy of the Movement - it just does'nt exist . ( ' 1169.... ' Comment - ....a few years after those comments , when opposition started to be expressed in a louder voice , those 'voices' were 'side-lined' and 'new members' [ie 'paper- Cumann'] were introduced to 'fill the gap' in the organisations structure.]
And therefore , nobody suspects that myself or Gerry Adams or Martin Mcguinness or any of these people who have a public profile , there's no room for doubt for one minute exactly what we believe in . ( '1169 ... ' Comment - ...true enough ; " No room for doubt... " at all !) So there's no fears there . Daithi O Conaill was never opposed to electoral politics , so there would be no contradiction , there woud be no argument between us . " ( ' 1169... ' Comment - Did Daithi agree with taking seats in Leinster House ? Or Stormont ? Daithi O Conaill's intention was to 'break the connection with England' , NOT enforce its 'writ' in this country .)
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
On the 12 March 1983 , the Gardai entered the home of the Moore family in Clones in County Monaghan ; they had a search warrant ; one of 2,500 search warrants that were issued that year , yet charges resulted in only ten per cent of cases .
On their way out of the Moore house , the gardai arrested Stephen Moore under 'Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act 1939' : - 2,234 people were arrested under the Act that year and prosecutions resulted in 15 per cent of cases .
Nothing was found as a result of that search warrant and no charges would be preferred as a result of the arrest ; what Stephen Moore did not know at this point was that a Post Office van had been hi-jacked in the North that morning between the time he had been in Clones and the time his parents left to do the shopping . He was taken to Clones Garda Station ; there were four garda in the car and he sat between the two in the back .
One of the gardai in the back of the car said to him - " How do you feel now , Stephen ? " In Clones Garda Station , his hair was combed and the combings put into a plastic bag . He was'nt brought anywhere . He was kept at the reception area for about half an hour . During that time he heard shouting and screaming in the garda Station . Then the gardai decided to bring him somewhere else . In his own words , this is his description of what happened ( Note - The gardai , in their defence , denied his charges and the award of £25,000 was made without admission of liability ) .......
(MORE LATER).
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
George Seawright (DUP) sees the Northern Assembly as being kept in existence to play a very different role : " What's going to happen in the future is that Loyalists are going to have to take care of events themselves , and the more areas they take over , the stronger they will be . ( ' 1169 ... ' Comment - "...take care of events ... take over areas ..." - so Westminster is to be 'obeyed' only when it suits the Loyalists to do so !)
Loyalists have pointed out that if they could ever be in a strong enough position to operate from Stormont , give orders from Stormont , then they would be in a very strong position indeed , the position of a provisional government . The 1980's will see those who desire and believe that they can bring victory about through the democratic process , through standing for election and holding office , exhaust themselves . "
One of the problems of Unionist politicians , George Seawright claims , is that the British government has increasingly seen them as "... a pack of bluffers .. " . He believes , for example , that if the British had called the Unionist bluff in 1912 and made the North go along with Irish Home Rule , the Northern Unionist people would have split : " The hard-line , working-class people would have taken up the gun and fought , but I believe the middle-class and upper-class leadership would probably have defected and taken themselves off .
They were quite happy as long as it was a bluff , as long as it did'nt cost them anything . "
Thus he sees the Unionist political leadership in the 1980's eventually having to face a choice ; they can recognise that "... there is nothing more to be gained through the democratic process to maintain the Protestant position in Northern Ireland (sic) , and bow out . Or they can sit down with the leadership of the entire Loyalist community and say how exactly are we going to react , and what exactly are we going to do .
And , if it's a case of bluffing then that bluff is going to be called and that bluff's going to be defeated ....... " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
' MAGILL ' magazine : " The involvement in electoral politics was paralleled by the rise of a new leadership in Sinn Fein : young , leftwing , Northern . While accepting the change , some of the older generations such as Ruairi O Bradaigh and Daithi O Conaill made no secret of their disapproval . Has the election setback affected that division ? "
Danny Morrison : " No . I mean nobody is questioning the correctness of the electoral intervention . We did'nt improve on our percentage share of the vote - that has'nt added grist to the mill , that has'nt strengthened a non-existent opposition to the policy of the Movement - it just does'nt exist . ( ' 1169.... ' Comment - ....a few years after those comments , when opposition started to be expressed in a louder voice , those 'voices' were 'side-lined' and 'new members' [ie 'paper- Cumann'] were introduced to 'fill the gap' in the organisations structure.]
And therefore , nobody suspects that myself or Gerry Adams or Martin Mcguinness or any of these people who have a public profile , there's no room for doubt for one minute exactly what we believe in . ( '1169 ... ' Comment - ...true enough ; " No room for doubt... " at all !) So there's no fears there . Daithi O Conaill was never opposed to electoral politics , so there would be no contradiction , there woud be no argument between us . " ( ' 1169... ' Comment - Did Daithi agree with taking seats in Leinster House ? Or Stormont ? Daithi O Conaill's intention was to 'break the connection with England' , NOT enforce its 'writ' in this country .)
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE ....... .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
On the 12 March 1983 , the Gardai entered the home of the Moore family in Clones in County Monaghan ; they had a search warrant ; one of 2,500 search warrants that were issued that year , yet charges resulted in only ten per cent of cases .
On their way out of the Moore house , the gardai arrested Stephen Moore under 'Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act 1939' : - 2,234 people were arrested under the Act that year and prosecutions resulted in 15 per cent of cases .
Nothing was found as a result of that search warrant and no charges would be preferred as a result of the arrest ; what Stephen Moore did not know at this point was that a Post Office van had been hi-jacked in the North that morning between the time he had been in Clones and the time his parents left to do the shopping . He was taken to Clones Garda Station ; there were four garda in the car and he sat between the two in the back .
One of the gardai in the back of the car said to him - " How do you feel now , Stephen ? " In Clones Garda Station , his hair was combed and the combings put into a plastic bag . He was'nt brought anywhere . He was kept at the reception area for about half an hour . During that time he heard shouting and screaming in the garda Station . Then the gardai decided to bring him somewhere else . In his own words , this is his description of what happened ( Note - The gardai , in their defence , denied his charges and the award of £25,000 was made without admission of liability ) .......
(MORE LATER).
Monday, August 15, 2005
THE INEVITABILITY OF SECTARIAN COLLISION .
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
The importance of the UWC strike for George Seawright was that it showed that Northern Ireland's (sic) Loyalists had a veto on British government moves to push them towards a united Ireland ; now , he says , the British government is negotiating with Dublin over Loyalist heads , while the rise of Sinn Fein must force them into a "... drastic re-appraisal of their whole situation . "
George Seawright believes there are now two kinds of Unionists : " Those who believe that as the Provisional Republican Movement becomes stronger there is no political solution , and therefore don't expect their political leaders to deliver the goods ; and those who hope agains hope , believing blindly that somehow the political leaders will deliver and we'll have a peaceful solution . "
He thinks Sinn Fein will overtake the SDLP and become the main representatives of Northern nationalists at next year's local government elections . He goes on : " Throughout the 1970's many Loyalists believed that the Provisionals are going to become the undisputed spokesmen for the Nationalist community . Faced with this Provisional onslaught , faced with a philosophy that believes there is no accommodation for Protestants , the Protestants must obviously see themselves as a people with their backs to the sea , and must see that their right to exist is going to be threatened by those who are legitimately supported by the majority of the Nationalist community . "
He has little faith in the ability of the Northern Ireland (sic) Assembly to do anything about this trend , other than "...putting forward its verbal opposition to events .. " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
Danny Morrison , Director of Publicity for Sinn Fein , interviewed ;
DM : " The public and supporters just don't blindly accept everything that the IRA does , and at times they will probably register some form of disapproval , either withdrawing support or by not voting for Sinn Fein .
Most republicans can understand , sympathise with , operations where Crown Forces or people connected with the establishment are clearly the identified targets - but where an operation goes wrong , there is a tendency there , it actually hurts the IRA and the only way it's tangible is probably through hurting Sinn Fein electorally .
Having said that , I think there's very little room for the IRA to lower its range , so to speak . I don't think the IRA has that much manoeuvrability and therefore I think we just have to live with the fact that there's always going to be this apparent contradiction . But I still think that our contradictions are less than the contradictions facing the SDLP , for example , attempting to sell a constitutional approach to reunification (' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...and what , now , of Provo Sinn Fein 'contradictions' re constitutionalism ?) , and the contradictions which the Dublin government faces . Everybody has contradictions , but I think those between the armalite and the ballot box is slight in comparison . (' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...so "slight" , in fact , that the former was eclipsed by the latter , in a move which Morrison himself supported !)
If the voters who went to John Hume because they perceived the SDLP to be under threat from Sinn Fein remain with the SDLP , and even if we go on increasing our support , largely from new people going on the register , young people , it could well be that we will not overtake the SDLP in the forseeable future ... " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE . .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
Stephen Moore was born and reared in Andersonstown , Belfast , and the family lived there until 1975 . Then , largely due to a desire to bring the children up outside that city , they moved to Cavan .
Stephen's father got a job as a supervisor in a factory in Cootehill ; Stephen did his Inter Cert and got a job with Cavan Crystal . In 1979 , the family moved again , this time to Clones , in County Monaghan . Stephen Moore continued to work with Cavan Crystal , becoming a qualified crystal glass cutter . But he was laid off in August 1982 .
By 12 March 1983 , he had spent about six months on the dole . Six months later , he got another job in a factory in Cootehill , making steam and hydraulic hoses . On the morning of 12 March , he got up around eleven o'clock and cycled into Clones - it was a journey of about a quarter of a mile . He talked to several people , bought milk and a newspaper , and cycled to his home , literally yards away from the border .
He was back home by 12.15 PM ; his parents left for Lisnaskea to do the weekend shopping a while after that . That was at about 12.30 PM . Later that afternoon , he played snooker with a friend in Clones , bought a pair of shoes , and visited another friend on a local housing estate . He got home about 6 PM . His snooker-playing friend was with him . Mrs Moore had the tea ready ; as both men sat down to eat , two carloads of gardai pulled up outside . They had a search warrant for the Moore home .
Stephen Moore and his father escorted the gardai around the house for about half an hour .......
(MORE LATER).
GEORGE SEAWRIGHT , the tough-talking Scotsman and self-proclaimed "honest bigot" from the Shankill Road , is a DUP member of both Belfast City Council and the Northern Assembly . He is also the politician most closely associated with the Loyalist paramilitaries .
He believes that the rise of Sinn Fein has made an armed confrontation between the forces of Loyalism and Republicanism inevitable .
From 'FORTNIGHT' magazine , May 1984 .
The importance of the UWC strike for George Seawright was that it showed that Northern Ireland's (sic) Loyalists had a veto on British government moves to push them towards a united Ireland ; now , he says , the British government is negotiating with Dublin over Loyalist heads , while the rise of Sinn Fein must force them into a "... drastic re-appraisal of their whole situation . "
George Seawright believes there are now two kinds of Unionists : " Those who believe that as the Provisional Republican Movement becomes stronger there is no political solution , and therefore don't expect their political leaders to deliver the goods ; and those who hope agains hope , believing blindly that somehow the political leaders will deliver and we'll have a peaceful solution . "
He thinks Sinn Fein will overtake the SDLP and become the main representatives of Northern nationalists at next year's local government elections . He goes on : " Throughout the 1970's many Loyalists believed that the Provisionals are going to become the undisputed spokesmen for the Nationalist community . Faced with this Provisional onslaught , faced with a philosophy that believes there is no accommodation for Protestants , the Protestants must obviously see themselves as a people with their backs to the sea , and must see that their right to exist is going to be threatened by those who are legitimately supported by the majority of the Nationalist community . "
He has little faith in the ability of the Northern Ireland (sic) Assembly to do anything about this trend , other than "...putting forward its verbal opposition to events .. " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE IRA HAS TO DO WHAT THE IRA HAS TO DO .......
The Sinn Fein electoral wagon is slowing down . As a result , the IRA is likely to begin stepping up its war against the Northern State . GENE KERRIGAN reports from Belfast and also interviews Sinn Fein's DANNY MORRISON on the party's recent successes and failures .
From ' MAGILL ' magazine , September 1984.
Danny Morrison , Director of Publicity for Sinn Fein , interviewed ;
DM : " The public and supporters just don't blindly accept everything that the IRA does , and at times they will probably register some form of disapproval , either withdrawing support or by not voting for Sinn Fein .
Most republicans can understand , sympathise with , operations where Crown Forces or people connected with the establishment are clearly the identified targets - but where an operation goes wrong , there is a tendency there , it actually hurts the IRA and the only way it's tangible is probably through hurting Sinn Fein electorally .
Having said that , I think there's very little room for the IRA to lower its range , so to speak . I don't think the IRA has that much manoeuvrability and therefore I think we just have to live with the fact that there's always going to be this apparent contradiction . But I still think that our contradictions are less than the contradictions facing the SDLP , for example , attempting to sell a constitutional approach to reunification (' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...and what , now , of Provo Sinn Fein 'contradictions' re constitutionalism ?) , and the contradictions which the Dublin government faces . Everybody has contradictions , but I think those between the armalite and the ballot box is slight in comparison . (' 1169 ... ' Comment - ...so "slight" , in fact , that the former was eclipsed by the latter , in a move which Morrison himself supported !)
If the voters who went to John Hume because they perceived the SDLP to be under threat from Sinn Fein remain with the SDLP , and even if we go on increasing our support , largely from new people going on the register , young people , it could well be that we will not overtake the SDLP in the forseeable future ... " .......
(MORE LATER).
THE INTERROGATION OF STEPHEN MOORE . .
On 11 July 1986 , Stephen Moore , from Clones in County Monaghan , accepted £25,000 plus costs to settle an action out of court .
He had sued 'Ireland' and the Attorney General for injuries he had received in garda custody in Monaghan Garda Station in March 1983 .
In that same year , John Milne received £51,900 for injuries sustained at the hands of two named gardai in that same garda station . He was also awarded costs .
Despite the fact that more than £75,000 has been paid out as a result of garda activity in Monaghan Garda Station , no garda has been charged with a criminal offence . In fact , some of the gardai who were accused have been promoted .
Stephen Moore was born and reared in Andersonstown , Belfast , and the family lived there until 1975 . Then , largely due to a desire to bring the children up outside that city , they moved to Cavan .
Stephen's father got a job as a supervisor in a factory in Cootehill ; Stephen did his Inter Cert and got a job with Cavan Crystal . In 1979 , the family moved again , this time to Clones , in County Monaghan . Stephen Moore continued to work with Cavan Crystal , becoming a qualified crystal glass cutter . But he was laid off in August 1982 .
By 12 March 1983 , he had spent about six months on the dole . Six months later , he got another job in a factory in Cootehill , making steam and hydraulic hoses . On the morning of 12 March , he got up around eleven o'clock and cycled into Clones - it was a journey of about a quarter of a mile . He talked to several people , bought milk and a newspaper , and cycled to his home , literally yards away from the border .
He was back home by 12.15 PM ; his parents left for Lisnaskea to do the weekend shopping a while after that . That was at about 12.30 PM . Later that afternoon , he played snooker with a friend in Clones , bought a pair of shoes , and visited another friend on a local housing estate . He got home about 6 PM . His snooker-playing friend was with him . Mrs Moore had the tea ready ; as both men sat down to eat , two carloads of gardai pulled up outside . They had a search warrant for the Moore home .
Stephen Moore and his father escorted the gardai around the house for about half an hour .......
(MORE LATER).
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