THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY....... Twenty-six men were convicted on the word of Harry Kirkpatrick. On their appeal against those convictions could well rest the future of the 'Anglo-Irish Agreement'
('The Hillsborough Treaty') . Based on a full transcript of the Kirkpatrick trials , the story of how these convictions were obtained shows why the 'Supergrass System' is a pale shadow of justice.
By Derek Dunne. From 'MAGILL' magazine, February 1986.
When Kirkpatrick pleaded guilty to five killings , he got five life sentences. However , there was no minimum sentence imposed. Gerard Steenson got a minimum of twenty-five years for exactly the same 'crimes' !
In cases in the Occupied Six Counties where there is just one indictment for 'murder' , a minimum sentence is usually given ; Kirkpatrick got 'life' , which means that without any shortening of his sentence , he could be out within six years. Lawyers believe that Kirkpatrick will be moved to England , as he has requested, and from there to an open prison.
They believe he will be released long before his time and be given money and a start in a new life somewhere. There is a precedent in relation to the sentence being shortened - the 'Thomas McCormick' case.......
(MORE LATER).
CIA SLAMS IRISH JUDGE.......
A Dublin District Justice was accused by American embassy intelligence personnel of encouraging left wing agitators and tolerating hostile acts against the United States.......From 'MAGILL' magazine, 'Christmas Special' 1980.
It appears that the Emboffs open files on just about anybody who comes to their attention , and there is no doubt that this article you're reading will be inserted into the Mairin de Burca file , and that a file will be opened on the author of this piece . And on those who work for this magazine. And those who distribute it , and the shops that sell it , and on those who read it .
So , just in case , when you finish reading this piece - and after you look over your shoulder - start humming 'America The Beautiful...'
[END of ' CIA SLAMS IRISH JUDGE']
(NEXT - 'Where Do The Drugs Go?' , from 1998.)
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HEROIN IN DUBLIN....... The drugs crisis is one of the major problems facing young people in Dublin today. In large areas of the city it has now reached massive proportions , while in the inner city there is estimated to be a higher percentage of drug addicts and drug abusers than in Harlem in New York . But it has been only recently - 5 years after this epidemic began in earnest - that any notice has been paid to the problem. And even now the Free State government has failed to confront the crisis in a meaningful way . Tony Barry of Na Fianna Eireann has been looking at the issues for 'IRIS' magazine.From 'IRIS' magazine, December 1984.
Tony Barry : "How did the patrols stop the drug addicts coming in to the area ? "
Noel Sillery : " At the start you had people coming in openly looking for drugs. And they would be approached and told that there was no heroin to be had in these flats anymore . With the presence of the patrols , outsiders didn't want to risk coming in and getting caught."
(MORE LATER).
