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    Dublin's links with IRA shrouded in ambiguity 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 21-02-2012 11:40 AM
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    By Liam Clarke - Belfast Telegraph

    The story of the Troubles can be seen as a growing understanding between the Irish and British states whose latest fruit was the Queen's visit to the Republic.

    In that time Britain moved, in the Irish psyche, from an ancient enemy still to be treated with suspicion to a neighbour with shared interests.

    By 1989, when Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Robert Buchanan were murdered at Jonesboro, the process was fairly advanced.

    The Smithwick Tribunal in Dublin has heard that the officers died returning from an intelligence exchange with gardai where a joint operation against Thomas 'Slab' Murphy, chief of staff of the IRA, was planned. That showed progress.

    Yet the fact that the officers' movements were compromised led to suspicion that some in the gardai may have helped the IRA target them. At the tribunal, three retired officers all denied involvement.
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    Amnesties should be option in Northern Ireland: Al Hutchinson 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 13-02-2012 09:54 AM
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    Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson has said it would be impossible to investigate all murders from the Troubles.

    He said an amnesty should be considered to deal with the past.
    Mr Hutchinson has left his office early but will not formally resign until his successor is in place.
    He said that any amnesties would be conditional and that victims should be the driving force in making decisions on individual cases.

    "I think the key here is that the victim would have a say whether or not they might consider amnesty and that would be a conditional amnesty," he said.
    "We've had amnesty by many other names, when you look at the two-year release in the peace agreement, you look at the inquiries that are ongoing.
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    Killer Jailed For 25 Years 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 10-02-2012 03:17 PM
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    The man convicted of murdering two soldiers outside a military barracks in Northern Ireland must serve a minimum of 25 years in prison, a judge has ruled.

    Republican Brian Shivers, 46, was last month found guilty of killing British sappers Patrick Azimkar, 21, and Mark Quinsey, 23, outside the Massereene army base.

    The victims were ambushed by gunmen from the Real IRA at the gates of the barracks in Antrim on March 7, 2009, as they went to collect delivery pizzas.

    Two other soldiers and two pizza delivery drivers were injured in the gun attack.

    DNA on matchsticks found in the partially burnt-out Vauxhall Cavalier getaway
    car, used in the ambush and abandoned eight miles away, linked Shivers to the murders.
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    Neil Hyde 'has named Martin O'Hagan murder gang' 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 28-01-2012 03:28 PM
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    A man previously accused of murdering journalist Martin O'Hagan has agreed to co-operate with police investigating the LVF killing.
    A lawyer for 32-year-old Neil Hyde told Belfast Crown Court the Lurgan man has signed a contract to become an "assisting offender".
    He said he had offered the Crown "the very greatest assistance in relation to resolving the notorious killing".

    Mr O'Hagan, 51, was shot dead in Lurgan in September 2001.

    The killing of the Sunday World reporter was claimed by the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used by both the Loyalist Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association.
    Lawyer Gordon Kerr QC said Hyde signed the contract under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) in return for a reduced sentence for 48 LVF-linked offences to which he has already pleaded guilty.

    His address was given as c/o the Witness Protection Unit.
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    Four quizzed over attempted murder 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 14-01-2012 02:11 AM
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    Police are questioning four people over the attempted murder of a soldier in Belfast.

    Security forces said he was lucky to escape with his life after he spotted a bomb underneath the driver's seat inside his car on January 5.

    The soldier from Britain had been visiting a girlfriend when dissident republicans opposed to the peace process opened the door of his UK-registered Vauxhall Astra and slipped the device beneath the seat.

    Three men, aged 43, 40 and 30, and a 41-year-old woman were arrested in north Belfast on Friday.

    Police said they were taken to Antrim Serious Crime Suite where they are being questioned.

    Officers also searched nine properties in the area.
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    US court to rule on Boston College Troubles archive 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 09-01-2012 05:39 AM
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    A court in the United States will be asked to rule later that interviews with former terrorists should not be handed over to NI authorities.

    Last year, the PSNI launched a legal bid to gain access to interviews with former republicans and loyalists held by Boston College.

    They are being sought by detectives investigating cases of people murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.

    At the heart of the case is the 1972 IRA murder of Jean McConville.
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    PPS to consider if soldier who shot Daniel Hegarty should be prosecuted 

    by
    Grimster
    Published on 21-12-2011 07:05 AM
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    Northern Ireland's senior coroner has asked the Public Prosecution Service to consider if a soldier who killed a Derry teenager should be prosecuted.
    John Leckey made the request after an inquest jury found that Daniel Hegarty posed no threat when he was shot dead by the soldier in Creggan in 1972.
    He said it was the appropriate course of action given the jury's verdict.
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