Original post (by Irish Republican Watch, added Monday, 29 April 2002 12:43:33 UTC+1)
Republican Watch
1st March
A 21-year-old man has been shot through both hands and both legs by
republican terrorists at Butler Place in the Ardoyne area of Belfast.
Source (UTV) 01-01a.doc
1st March
A man has been arrested after a gang of four masked republicans
kidnapped and tortured a youth in Co. Kerry. SF/IRA are being linked
to the brutal attack. It has since come to light that the arrested man
is Sinn Fein/IRA's Director of Elections for Kerry North, James
Sheehan.
Source (UTV) 01-02a.doc 01-02b.doc (IT) 01-02c.doc
2nd March
2 teenage boys suffered injuries when an IRA bomb exploded in their
faces at a horseracing event in County Armagh. The bomb had been
placed in a traffic cone. The boys, aged 15 and 16 years respectively,
lifted the cone out of the way of a car, detonating the terrorist
device. Thankfully their injuries are not believed to be life
threatening.
Source (IT) 02-01a.doc (BBC) 02-01b.doc 02-01c.doc
2nd March
Police in the Republic of Ireland have arrested a further 3
republicans in Co. Kerry. The three men were detained in the town of
Castleisland and followed the earlier arrest of local Sinn Fein
official James Sheehan. All four men are believed to have close links
with SF/IRA terrorist and Irish General Election candidate Martin
Ferris.
Source (UTV) 02-02a.doc
8th March
The safety of Protestant school children is being put at serious risk
due to lack of policing in North Belfast, it was claimed today. Local
North Belfast councillor Elaine McMillan was speaking after a meeting
with the NI Security Minister, held to discuss the on-going sectarian
attacks from republicans against children travelling to and from the
predominantly Protestant Boys' and Girls' Model Schools.
Source (BT) 08-01a.doc
9th March
"Police in Florida are investigating a suspected gun-running operation
to Ireland, it was learned last night.
The case in Florida involves striking similarities to a major
Provisional IRA arms smuggling operation in 1999 in which weapons were
secretly posted back to Ireland from Fort Lauderdale. But the latest
gun-runner to be caught, Bernard Maserati Joseph Meli (59), who grew
up in Belfast and moved away several years ago, had previously had no
known links to any Irish terrorist group."
Source (II) 09-01a.doc (IT) 09-01b.doc
9th March
Irish Republicans have thrown a bomb into Rosemount police station in
Londonderry. There are no reports of any injuries.
Source (IT) 09-02a.doc
9th March
European and American security officials are investigating reports
that a PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organisation) sniper who murdered
10 Israelis on the West Bank a week ago might be a SF/IRA gunman.
"Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, has asked European and
American security agencies if they can help to identify the killer,
who shot dead seven soldiers and three civilians in 25 minutes using
25 bullets from a bolt-action rifle."
Source (NT) 09-03a.doc (HZ) 09-03b.doc
10th March
A 17-year-old boy has been shot in both ankles in a suspected IRA/SF
attack near his home in west Belfast.
Source (IT) 10-01a.doc
11th March
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein/IRA election candidate for Kerry North in the
Irish Republic and convicted IRA terrorist has been arrested in
connection with vigilante activity. The development comes after eight
other Sinn Fein figures, including Mr Ferris' campaign director, James
Sheehan, were arrested at the beginning of the month in connection
with the December 2001 attack, in which a man was abducted and beaten
up in Castleisland, County Kerry.
Source (AN) 11-01a.doc (IT) 11-01b.doc
11th March
"A busload of (Protestant) schoolchildren were lucky to escape serious
injury today after the window of their vehicle was struck by a brick
while passing through a sectarian flashpoint in north Belfast. The
bus, carrying pupils from Glengormley High School, was attacked in the
Longlands estate at around 8am. Translink said one pupil sustained
minor cuts to her head and others were" very shaken" by the attack.
Colin Trimble, whose daughter Stacey (12), was a passenger on the bus,
said children are easy targets as they travel daily through the area.
The angry father said the incident was the fourth such incident his
daughter had suffered and his nephew was hospitalised months ago with
glass in his eye following a bus attack."
Source (BT) 11-02a.doc
13th March
"A Garda ballistics expert yesterday linked metal parts found at the
home and workshop of a Co Wexford man to homemade grenade and rocket
launchers uncovered in arms finds at two areas in the county in 1999.
The improvised weapons were allegedly found by gardai at Shelmalier
Commons and Killellan, Castle Bridge, Co Wexford. Some items found
were ordinary plumbing fittings that had been worked on to produce
component parts for weapons, the Special Criminal Court was told.
16th March
A Sinn Fein/IRA inspired mob has attempted to reach Protestant homes
in north Belfast. Police officers were pelted with missiles as they
stopped the gang on the Limestone Road. However no arrests were made.
Source (BBC) 16-01a.doc (CW) (EW)
16th March
A man in his 20's is recovering after being abducted by republicans
and held for 2 hours. It is understood he is being treated for
suspected gunshot wounds to his legs and brusing to his face and neck.
At one stage he had a gun placed in his mouth. After the assault he
was dumped on the Glenvale Road.
Source (BT) 16-02a.doc
17th March
"One of America's biggest St Patrick's Day parades is going ahead
despite a bitter split over the presence of a convicted IRA bomber.
Brian Pearson was chosen to be grand marshal of the giant parade in
Pearl River, 25 miles from New York. Pearson, 50, was granted
political asylum in the United States in 1997 despite the objections
of the American government, after spending 12 years in prison for
blowing up two RUC police stations. But his presence has prompted an
unprecedented boycott of the parade by police and firefighters'
organisations who do not want to be associated with terrorism in the
wake of the September 11 attack. Dozens of residents of Rockland
County, where Pearl River is located, died in the collapse of the twin
towers and many of the Irish-American firefighters and police who were
to march in the parade lost colleagues and themselves narrowly escaped
death." Pearson, like so many IRA/SF terrorists, was chosen to head
the parade by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a Roman Catholic
fraternal organisation with close links to the IRA and other
anti-Protestant murder gangs.
Source (AN) 17-01a.doc (NT) 17-01b.doc (UH) 17-01c.doc
17th March
An 18-year-old Kerry youth is in hospital suffering from a nervous
breakdown as a result of being terrorised by a group of Sinn Fein/IRA
thugs who hide behind the name Kerry Concerned Parents Against Drugs
(KCPAD). The group attacked his house while only his mother was home.
She was pushed about and told that her son was to leave the area. She
was told that she would end up in a coffin if he remained. This case
is currently being investigated by Tralee Gardai and is separate to
the vigilante attack which led to the arrest of Sinn Fein candidate
for North Kerry Martin Ferris, and many of his troops. However, it
could prove equally embarrassing to the local Sinn Fein organisation
as gardai say their investigation is nearing completion and that those
with a known association to Sinn Fein are likely to be arrested and
questioned about their alleged involvement in the incident. Tralee
gardai are confident that once files have been passed to the DPP,
charges will follow. They also say there is "more than just local
gossip" linking to Sinn Fein the thugs who hide behind KCPAD.
Source (SI) 17-02a.doc
17th March
A Protestant community leader has branded today's giant St Patrick's
carnival in Belfast as an "excessive indulgence of Irish
republicanism". And Glencairn man, Jimmy Creighton, who was also
critical of the organising committee, declared: "They have made it so
republican orientated, that it's impossible for any Protestant to take
part.
"They're entitled to do what they want, of course, but don't try to
make fools of the people, by suggesting that it's cross-community and
that Protestants are welcome. "It's totally exclusive and no
Protestant, that I know, wants to be seen in a sea of Tricolours and
republican emblems."
If any proof were needed to substantiate Mr. Creighton's claims then
one only need watch the St. Patrick's day parade in Belfast on this
day. The republican terrorist trappings included men in Provisional
IRA/SF military attire, complete with dark glasses and berets.
Source (SL) 17-03a.doc (BNL) 17-03b.doc (CW)
19th March
Further republican rioting has taken place in north Belfast. Several
homes had windows broken as Sinn Fein mobs took to the streets.
Source (UTV) 19-01a.doc (EW)
19th March
A row has erupted over an IRA/SF terror memorial in County Fermanagh.
The monument is situated near the spot at Slater's Crossroads where
two Protestant workmen, William Hazard and Frederick Love, were
butchered by an IRA/SF murder gang in 1988. Four gunmen armed with
rifles and a handgun fired up to 150 bullets at close range into the
men's van. SF/IRA MP for the area Michelle Gildernew has praised the
siting of the monument while most other politicians, and the victims
families are distraught by the insensitivity of it.
Source (BBC) 19-02a.doc (IT) 19-02b.doc
19th March
Approximately 70 Protestant children were locked in school for their
own safety after a republican mob attacked teachers, parents and
pupils at the Currie Primary School in north Belfast. The school is
located in an area which has seen an upsurge in anti-Protestant
rioting of late. Local councillor Nelson McCausland claimed the
trouble was sparked yesterday, when what he described as "republican
stormtroopers" verbally abused staff and children going to the school.
20th March
The US House Committee on International Relations is to go ahead with
hearings on the links between the IRA and the Colombian FARC guerrilla
organisation and has issued invitations to four witnesses to give
evidence, including Sinn Féin/IRA President Mr Gerry Adams.
Source (IT) 20-01a.doc (II) 20-01b.doc
20th March
A republican bomb suspect has been remanded in custody at Armagh
Magistrates Court. Conor Casey, 30, of Greenvale Drive, Cookstown is
accused of conspiracy to murder and possession of explosives with
intent outside the city on November 21. The device, primed and ready
for use, was found by security forces packed into the boot of a white
Vauxhall Astra, stopped at Knappagh Road, near Killylea. A trigger
mechanism was also found on the front seat.
Source (BNL) 20-02a.doc
20th March
Schools from deprived Protestant areas of Belfast have been frozen out
in the latest round of cash allocations, it has been claimed. The
claims come as IRA/SF godfather and current Stormont Education
Minister Martin McGuinness prepares to announce a major package worth
more than £100 million to upgrade 22 dilapidated schools throughout
Northern Ireland. It is claimed that Mr. McGuinness will continue with
his anti-Protestant spending policy by granting most, if not all the
money to Roman Catholic maintained schools while ignoring those
schools catering for Protestant children.
Source (UTV) 20-03a.doc
22nd March
A distraught mother-of-four will today (Friday) leave her beloved
White City home, no longer able to tolerate the increasing levels of
sectarian attacks on her family. Since July last year, more than 40
petrol bombs have been hurled at Mary Foster's home at Gunnel Hill,
which sits at the entrance of the estate. Mrs Foster, who has lived in
the estate for 18 years, told of her heartbreak at having to leave a
home where she had been very happy.
23rd March
A Protestant woman and four police officers have been injured after a
Sinn Fein gang went on the rampage in north Belfast. The woman, in her
30's suffered eye and facial injuries after republicans threw a blast
bomb at her. Eye-witnesses claim the device was thrown over an
interface by nationalists.
Earlier five police officers were injured after a nationalist gang
attacked homes in the Protestant White City area, smashing windows in
at least eight houses and attacking cars. During follow-up searches in
the area, a number of items were recovered. They included bottles,
clubs and planks of wood spiked with nails.
Source (UTV) 23-01a.doc (Ob) 23-01b.doc (EW)
23rd March
At approximately 9:30pm republican terrorists launched a gun attack in
Belleek, Co Fermanagh. A follow-up operation by police found bullet
marks on both the police station and a nearby house. Chief inspector
John Barr said the people living in the house only arrived back on
Sunday morning. "During the morning, when we did carry out a search
around the station, we found that a number of strike marks had hit a
private house next to the police station.
"There were approximately four to five strike marks on the gable wall,
the panes of glass had been broken and one in the conservatory."
Source (BBC) 23-02a.doc
24th March
A prominent Sinn Fein member and convicted IRA/SF terrorist was one of
three men questioned by gardaí in Listowel, Co Kerry, last night, in
connection with the armed hold-up of a Securicor truck last month.
During the arrests of the two men on Saturday, garda uniforms and a
blue light beacon were seized. It has been confirmed by the Garda
Siochana that the man has close links to SF/IRA election candidate,
and convicted terrorist Martin Ferris.
Source (ST) 24-01a.doc (IEx) 24-01b.doc
25th March
Army bomb disposal experts are examining a suspect device found at an
army training camp in County Londonderry. Last month a Security Guard
was injured when a republican bomb was thrown into the base.
Source (BBC) 25-01a.doc
25th March
"Protestant schoolchildren and their parents came under attack from
paint bombs and bricks on Monday when trouble flared outside their
school. Parents and pupils from Currie Primary School on the Limestone
Road, north Belfast, were attacked with bottles, bricks and paint
bombs. Parents said the children are regular targets for sectarian
abuse from residents from the Newington and Parkside areas.
26th March
Sinn Fein/IRA godfather Martin McGuinness has rejected requests by
relatives of the 29 people and unborn twins killed in the Omagh bomb
to urge Republicans with information about the attack to go to the
Irish police. The Real IRA, a splinter group made up of disaffected
members of Martin McGuinness's terror gang claimed responsibility for
the massacre in August 1998.
Source (NT) 26-01a.doc
29th March
A 40-year-old Protestant civilian was the target of an IRA booby-trap
car bomb yesterday in Co. Tyrone. The 2lb semtex-bomb with a mercury
tilt-switch has been used on numerous occasions by IRA/SF terrorists
to murder vulnerable Protestants. On this occasion the target had
driven 40 miles (65km) while the device, attached to his car failed to
detonate. The alert was raised yesterday morning when a neighbour, who
was driving in the opposite direction, saw the device hanging from
under the front of the intended victim's car as they passed each other
in the village of Newtownstewart, midway between Sion Mills and Omagh.
The neighbour immediately alerted the police and when officers arrived
at the man's Meadow Park home in Sion Mills, they found the bomb.
30th March
Several well-known members of IRA/SF are among 6 people arrested by
detectives investigating the security breach at Castlereagh Police
Station earlier in the month. They include the IRA's so-called
Intelligence Officer, Bobby Storey, the man responsible for the
interrogation and execution of police informers. The four men and two
women were arrested in swoops on republican areas of Belfast and
Londonderry. During the security breach at Castlereagh on St. Patricks
day, a gang of men assaulted an officer on duty before stealing
documents relating to Police agents, including names of agents and
their Police handlers.
Source (BBC) 30-01a.doc (BT) 30-01b.doc (Gu) 30-01c.doc
30th March
A number of Protestant-owned houses have been damaged after
nationalist gangs went on the rampage in the Duncairn Gardens and
North Queen Street areas of Belfast. Police, intervening to keep the
nationalists back, came under attack. There are numerous reports of
injuries and of vehicles being hi-jacked and burnt out. A police
spokesman said several officers and soldiers were injured and more
than 40 petrol bombs were thrown at security force vehicles - several
of which sustained damage.
Source (UTV) 30-02a.doc (EW) (CW)
30th March
A pregnant Protestant teenager spoke last night of her trauma at
seeing her Roman Catholic fiancée blasted in the legs by a republican
gang. The republican thugs had recently sprayed graffiti in north
Belfast accusing the man of being a "tout" (informer) simply because
he defied their bigotry to visit his Protestant fiancée's home.
Source (SL) 30-03a.doc
31st March
The main political parties in the Republic of Ireland have agreed a
strategy to combat Sinn Fein/IRA vote stealing in the up-coming Irish
General Election. Sinn Fein is widely accused of personation. The
leader of the Fine Gael party, Mr Noonan said: "As you are aware,
there were reports of widespread personation during the parliamentary
elections in Northern Ireland last year. I am concerned that Sinn Fein
may be planning similar activity during the forthcoming election
here."
AN - Ananova
BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation
BNL - Belfast News Letter (www.newsletter.co.uk)
BT - Belfast Telegraph
CW - Community Worker(s)
EW - Eye-Witness
Gu - The Guardian
HZ - Ha'aretz (Middle-East newspaper)
Iec - Irish Echo
IEx - Irish Examiner
II - Irish Independent
IT - Irish Times
NT - news.telegraph.co.uk
Ob - Observer (www.observer.co.uk)
SI - Sunday Independent
SL - Sunday Life
SM - Shankill Mirror
STr -Sunday Tribune
UH - Ulster Herald
UTV - Ulster Television
March 2002
The following list of sectarian and other hate-driven incidents and
attacks is from 1 through 31 March 2002. The criteria we use for
inclusion is based on the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)
criteria; if a person/organisation feels that the motivation for an
attack against them was sectarian (or racist or homophobic), then it
should be counted as such. We rely on a number of sources for our
information, but this is by no means comprehensive. If you find
incidents that have been left off, or if you would like to provide
information for future instalments please contact us.
The following list of sectarian and other hate-driven incidents and
attacks is from 1 through 31 March 2002. The criteria we use for
inclusion is based on the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)
criteria; if a person/organisation feels that the motivation for an
attack against them was sectarian (or racist or homophobic), then it
should be counted as such. We rely on a number of sources for our
information, but this is by no means comprehensive. If you find
incidents that have been left off, or if you would like to provide
information for future instalments please contact us.
1st March
A 21-year-old man has been shot through both hands and both legs by
republican terrorists at Butler Place in the Ardoyne area of Belfast.
Source (UTV) 01-01a.doc
1st March
A man has been arrested after a gang of four masked republicans
kidnapped and tortured a youth in Co. Kerry. SF/IRA are being linked
to the brutal attack. It has since come to light that the arrested man
is Sinn Fein/IRA's Director of Elections for Kerry North, James
Sheehan.
Source (UTV) 01-02a.doc 01-02b.doc (IT) 01-02c.doc
2nd March
2 teenage boys suffered injuries when an IRA bomb exploded in their
faces at a horseracing event in County Armagh. The bomb had been
placed in a traffic cone. The boys, aged 15 and 16 years respectively,
lifted the cone out of the way of a car, detonating the terrorist
device. Thankfully their injuries are not believed to be life
threatening.
Source (IT) 02-01a.doc (BBC) 02-01b.doc 02-01c.doc
2nd March
Police in the Republic of Ireland have arrested a further 3
republicans in Co. Kerry. The three men were detained in the town of
Castleisland and followed the earlier arrest of local Sinn Fein
official James Sheehan. All four men are believed to have close links
with SF/IRA terrorist and Irish General Election candidate Martin
Ferris.
Source (UTV) 02-02a.doc
8th March
The safety of Protestant school children is being put at serious risk
due to lack of policing in North Belfast, it was claimed today. Local
North Belfast councillor Elaine McMillan was speaking after a meeting
with the NI Security Minister, held to discuss the on-going sectarian
attacks from republicans against children travelling to and from the
predominantly Protestant Boys' and Girls' Model Schools.
Source (BT) 08-01a.doc
9th March
"Police in Florida are investigating a suspected gun-running operation
to Ireland, it was learned last night.
The case in Florida involves striking similarities to a major
Provisional IRA arms smuggling operation in 1999 in which weapons were
secretly posted back to Ireland from Fort Lauderdale. But the latest
gun-runner to be caught, Bernard Maserati Joseph Meli (59), who grew
up in Belfast and moved away several years ago, had previously had no
known links to any Irish terrorist group."
Source (II) 09-01a.doc (IT) 09-01b.doc
9th March
Irish Republicans have thrown a bomb into Rosemount police station in
Londonderry. There are no reports of any injuries.
Source (IT) 09-02a.doc
9th March
European and American security officials are investigating reports
that a PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organisation) sniper who murdered
10 Israelis on the West Bank a week ago might be a SF/IRA gunman.
"Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, has asked European and
American security agencies if they can help to identify the killer,
who shot dead seven soldiers and three civilians in 25 minutes using
25 bullets from a bolt-action rifle."
Source (NT) 09-03a.doc (HZ) 09-03b.doc
10th March
A 17-year-old boy has been shot in both ankles in a suspected IRA/SF
attack near his home in west Belfast.
Source (IT) 10-01a.doc
11th March
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein/IRA election candidate for Kerry North in the
Irish Republic and convicted IRA terrorist has been arrested in
connection with vigilante activity. The development comes after eight
other Sinn Fein figures, including Mr Ferris' campaign director, James
Sheehan, were arrested at the beginning of the month in connection
with the December 2001 attack, in which a man was abducted and beaten
up in Castleisland, County Kerry.
Source (AN) 11-01a.doc (IT) 11-01b.doc
11th March
"A busload of (Protestant) schoolchildren were lucky to escape serious
injury today after the window of their vehicle was struck by a brick
while passing through a sectarian flashpoint in north Belfast. The
bus, carrying pupils from Glengormley High School, was attacked in the
Longlands estate at around 8am. Translink said one pupil sustained
minor cuts to her head and others were" very shaken" by the attack.
Colin Trimble, whose daughter Stacey (12), was a passenger on the bus,
said children are easy targets as they travel daily through the area.
The angry father said the incident was the fourth such incident his
daughter had suffered and his nephew was hospitalised months ago with
glass in his eye following a bus attack."
Source (BT) 11-02a.doc
13th March
"A Garda ballistics expert yesterday linked metal parts found at the
home and workshop of a Co Wexford man to homemade grenade and rocket
launchers uncovered in arms finds at two areas in the county in 1999.
The improvised weapons were allegedly found by gardai at Shelmalier
Commons and Killellan, Castle Bridge, Co Wexford. Some items found
were ordinary plumbing fittings that had been worked on to produce
component parts for weapons, the Special Criminal Court was told.
Thomas Redmond (62), with addresses at The Grove, Clonard and The Gate
Post, Forth Commons, both Co Wexford, pleaded not guilty to membership
of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army,
otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on October 1 1999."
Source (II) 13-01a.doc
Post, Forth Commons, both Co Wexford, pleaded not guilty to membership
of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army,
otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on October 1 1999."
Source (II) 13-01a.doc
16th March
A Sinn Fein/IRA inspired mob has attempted to reach Protestant homes
in north Belfast. Police officers were pelted with missiles as they
stopped the gang on the Limestone Road. However no arrests were made.
Source (BBC) 16-01a.doc (CW) (EW)
16th March
A man in his 20's is recovering after being abducted by republicans
and held for 2 hours. It is understood he is being treated for
suspected gunshot wounds to his legs and brusing to his face and neck.
At one stage he had a gun placed in his mouth. After the assault he
was dumped on the Glenvale Road.
Source (BT) 16-02a.doc
17th March
"One of America's biggest St Patrick's Day parades is going ahead
despite a bitter split over the presence of a convicted IRA bomber.
Brian Pearson was chosen to be grand marshal of the giant parade in
Pearl River, 25 miles from New York. Pearson, 50, was granted
political asylum in the United States in 1997 despite the objections
of the American government, after spending 12 years in prison for
blowing up two RUC police stations. But his presence has prompted an
unprecedented boycott of the parade by police and firefighters'
organisations who do not want to be associated with terrorism in the
wake of the September 11 attack. Dozens of residents of Rockland
County, where Pearl River is located, died in the collapse of the twin
towers and many of the Irish-American firefighters and police who were
to march in the parade lost colleagues and themselves narrowly escaped
death." Pearson, like so many IRA/SF terrorists, was chosen to head
the parade by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a Roman Catholic
fraternal organisation with close links to the IRA and other
anti-Protestant murder gangs.
Source (AN) 17-01a.doc (NT) 17-01b.doc (UH) 17-01c.doc
17th March
An 18-year-old Kerry youth is in hospital suffering from a nervous
breakdown as a result of being terrorised by a group of Sinn Fein/IRA
thugs who hide behind the name Kerry Concerned Parents Against Drugs
(KCPAD). The group attacked his house while only his mother was home.
She was pushed about and told that her son was to leave the area. She
was told that she would end up in a coffin if he remained. This case
is currently being investigated by Tralee Gardai and is separate to
the vigilante attack which led to the arrest of Sinn Fein candidate
for North Kerry Martin Ferris, and many of his troops. However, it
could prove equally embarrassing to the local Sinn Fein organisation
as gardai say their investigation is nearing completion and that those
with a known association to Sinn Fein are likely to be arrested and
questioned about their alleged involvement in the incident. Tralee
gardai are confident that once files have been passed to the DPP,
charges will follow. They also say there is "more than just local
gossip" linking to Sinn Fein the thugs who hide behind KCPAD.
Source (SI) 17-02a.doc
17th March
A Protestant community leader has branded today's giant St Patrick's
carnival in Belfast as an "excessive indulgence of Irish
republicanism". And Glencairn man, Jimmy Creighton, who was also
critical of the organising committee, declared: "They have made it so
republican orientated, that it's impossible for any Protestant to take
part.
"They're entitled to do what they want, of course, but don't try to
make fools of the people, by suggesting that it's cross-community and
that Protestants are welcome. "It's totally exclusive and no
Protestant, that I know, wants to be seen in a sea of Tricolours and
republican emblems."
If any proof were needed to substantiate Mr. Creighton's claims then
one only need watch the St. Patrick's day parade in Belfast on this
day. The republican terrorist trappings included men in Provisional
IRA/SF military attire, complete with dark glasses and berets.
Source (SL) 17-03a.doc (BNL) 17-03b.doc (CW)
18th March
THE Real IRA has been linked to the drugs trade by a senior official
in America's State Department. Rand Beers, an Assistant Secretary for
International Narcotics affairs, also told the US Congress in
Washington that the three Irishmen arrested in Colombia last year were
"members of the IRA".
And the official gave further details of the links the US government
believes exist between Colombian narco-terrorists FARC and the
Provisionals (Sinn Fein/IRA).
Source (BT) 18-01a.doc
THE Real IRA has been linked to the drugs trade by a senior official
in America's State Department. Rand Beers, an Assistant Secretary for
International Narcotics affairs, also told the US Congress in
Washington that the three Irishmen arrested in Colombia last year were
"members of the IRA".
And the official gave further details of the links the US government
believes exist between Colombian narco-terrorists FARC and the
Provisionals (Sinn Fein/IRA).
Source (BT) 18-01a.doc
19th March
Further republican rioting has taken place in north Belfast. Several
homes had windows broken as Sinn Fein mobs took to the streets.
Source (UTV) 19-01a.doc (EW)
19th March
A row has erupted over an IRA/SF terror memorial in County Fermanagh.
The monument is situated near the spot at Slater's Crossroads where
two Protestant workmen, William Hazard and Frederick Love, were
butchered by an IRA/SF murder gang in 1988. Four gunmen armed with
rifles and a handgun fired up to 150 bullets at close range into the
men's van. SF/IRA MP for the area Michelle Gildernew has praised the
siting of the monument while most other politicians, and the victims
families are distraught by the insensitivity of it.
Source (BBC) 19-02a.doc (IT) 19-02b.doc
19th March
Approximately 70 Protestant children were locked in school for their
own safety after a republican mob attacked teachers, parents and
pupils at the Currie Primary School in north Belfast. The school is
located in an area which has seen an upsurge in anti-Protestant
rioting of late. Local councillor Nelson McCausland claimed the
trouble was sparked yesterday, when what he described as "republican
stormtroopers" verbally abused staff and children going to the school.
It is believed the recent upsurge in republican violence could be
related to the on-going US investigation of IRA/SF links with
Colombian narco-terrorists FARC. With media attention centred on the
trio of Sinn Fein/IRA terrorists charged with training FARC
guerrillas, Sinn Fein is keen to alleviate some of the pressure.
Source (UTV) 19-03a.doc (BBC) 19-03b.doc (EW)
related to the on-going US investigation of IRA/SF links with
Colombian narco-terrorists FARC. With media attention centred on the
trio of Sinn Fein/IRA terrorists charged with training FARC
guerrillas, Sinn Fein is keen to alleviate some of the pressure.
Source (UTV) 19-03a.doc (BBC) 19-03b.doc (EW)
20th March
The US House Committee on International Relations is to go ahead with
hearings on the links between the IRA and the Colombian FARC guerrilla
organisation and has issued invitations to four witnesses to give
evidence, including Sinn Féin/IRA President Mr Gerry Adams.
Source (IT) 20-01a.doc (II) 20-01b.doc
20th March
A republican bomb suspect has been remanded in custody at Armagh
Magistrates Court. Conor Casey, 30, of Greenvale Drive, Cookstown is
accused of conspiracy to murder and possession of explosives with
intent outside the city on November 21. The device, primed and ready
for use, was found by security forces packed into the boot of a white
Vauxhall Astra, stopped at Knappagh Road, near Killylea. A trigger
mechanism was also found on the front seat.
Source (BNL) 20-02a.doc
20th March
Schools from deprived Protestant areas of Belfast have been frozen out
in the latest round of cash allocations, it has been claimed. The
claims come as IRA/SF godfather and current Stormont Education
Minister Martin McGuinness prepares to announce a major package worth
more than £100 million to upgrade 22 dilapidated schools throughout
Northern Ireland. It is claimed that Mr. McGuinness will continue with
his anti-Protestant spending policy by granting most, if not all the
money to Roman Catholic maintained schools while ignoring those
schools catering for Protestant children.
Source (UTV) 20-03a.doc
22nd March
A distraught mother-of-four will today (Friday) leave her beloved
White City home, no longer able to tolerate the increasing levels of
sectarian attacks on her family. Since July last year, more than 40
petrol bombs have been hurled at Mary Foster's home at Gunnel Hill,
which sits at the entrance of the estate. Mrs Foster, who has lived in
the estate for 18 years, told of her heartbreak at having to leave a
home where she had been very happy.
The Fosters are the latest in a string of families to leave the area
in months. In recent days, a family on the Whitewell Road also left
the area following a petrol bombing.As husband Ian packed up the
remainder of their belongings into boxes, Mrs Foster said: "We applied
for a new house last November and we are only getting to move now. We
have no choice because we couldn't live under siege any more. All I
want is a normal life but, because I am a Protestant, I am targeted
with petrol bombs, coffee jar bombs, fireworks and bricks - and the
police won't cross the peaceline to stop it. The children are living
in fear of attack every night and we can't go on like this."
in months. In recent days, a family on the Whitewell Road also left
the area following a petrol bombing.As husband Ian packed up the
remainder of their belongings into boxes, Mrs Foster said: "We applied
for a new house last November and we are only getting to move now. We
have no choice because we couldn't live under siege any more. All I
want is a normal life but, because I am a Protestant, I am targeted
with petrol bombs, coffee jar bombs, fireworks and bricks - and the
police won't cross the peaceline to stop it. The children are living
in fear of attack every night and we can't go on like this."
Mrs Foster claimed a recent illness she suffered was as a result of
stress from constant attacks on her home, the garden of which backs
onto the peaceline. She slammed any proposals to remove the high wire
fencing from White City estate and other areas of Belfast - suggested
in City of Culture proposals - as "impossible". "I would challenge
anyone who wants to remove the peace walls to come and live in my
house for a week," she said. "They would soon change their mind. I
went into hospital a couple of weeks ago unable to move my joints. The
doctors said my illness was a result of stress. You don't even get
peace to grieve here as I came back from a family bereavement recently
and had only just closed the door behind me when a crowd of
nationalists came into the driveway and then the windows came in
around us. My biggest fear has always been that a petrol bomb will be
thrown at the house at 4.30am when we are asleep and we are all burned
in our beds. Leaving the area has been a hard decision for the family,
especially for my husband who was born here. We are leaving some great
friends and neighbours behind."
stress from constant attacks on her home, the garden of which backs
onto the peaceline. She slammed any proposals to remove the high wire
fencing from White City estate and other areas of Belfast - suggested
in City of Culture proposals - as "impossible". "I would challenge
anyone who wants to remove the peace walls to come and live in my
house for a week," she said. "They would soon change their mind. I
went into hospital a couple of weeks ago unable to move my joints. The
doctors said my illness was a result of stress. You don't even get
peace to grieve here as I came back from a family bereavement recently
and had only just closed the door behind me when a crowd of
nationalists came into the driveway and then the windows came in
around us. My biggest fear has always been that a petrol bomb will be
thrown at the house at 4.30am when we are asleep and we are all burned
in our beds. Leaving the area has been a hard decision for the family,
especially for my husband who was born here. We are leaving some great
friends and neighbours behind."
Community representative for the area, Caroline Wood, claimed police,
Housing Executive and NIO officials were not doing enough to help
Protestant families living in the area. She said: "Basically, if all
the Protestants cleared out of the area, it would be a lot less hassle
for the police and other services. We are a small Protestant community
surrounded by nationalist estates. We do not even have a shop to go to
and most of our children have been intimidated away from local stores.
Slogans have gone up on walls in nationalist areas such as 'White City
will burn' and 'Houses soon available in White City'. They want our
homes and are trying as hard as they can to intimidate us out. Not
enough is being done to prevent us from further sectarian attack."
Source (BNL) 22-01a.doc (BBC) 22-01b.doc (SM) (EW) (CW)
Housing Executive and NIO officials were not doing enough to help
Protestant families living in the area. She said: "Basically, if all
the Protestants cleared out of the area, it would be a lot less hassle
for the police and other services. We are a small Protestant community
surrounded by nationalist estates. We do not even have a shop to go to
and most of our children have been intimidated away from local stores.
Slogans have gone up on walls in nationalist areas such as 'White City
will burn' and 'Houses soon available in White City'. They want our
homes and are trying as hard as they can to intimidate us out. Not
enough is being done to prevent us from further sectarian attack."
Source (BNL) 22-01a.doc (BBC) 22-01b.doc (SM) (EW) (CW)
23rd March
A Protestant woman and four police officers have been injured after a
Sinn Fein gang went on the rampage in north Belfast. The woman, in her
30's suffered eye and facial injuries after republicans threw a blast
bomb at her. Eye-witnesses claim the device was thrown over an
interface by nationalists.
Earlier five police officers were injured after a nationalist gang
attacked homes in the Protestant White City area, smashing windows in
at least eight houses and attacking cars. During follow-up searches in
the area, a number of items were recovered. They included bottles,
clubs and planks of wood spiked with nails.
Source (UTV) 23-01a.doc (Ob) 23-01b.doc (EW)
23rd March
At approximately 9:30pm republican terrorists launched a gun attack in
Belleek, Co Fermanagh. A follow-up operation by police found bullet
marks on both the police station and a nearby house. Chief inspector
John Barr said the people living in the house only arrived back on
Sunday morning. "During the morning, when we did carry out a search
around the station, we found that a number of strike marks had hit a
private house next to the police station.
"There were approximately four to five strike marks on the gable wall,
the panes of glass had been broken and one in the conservatory."
Source (BBC) 23-02a.doc
24th March
A prominent Sinn Fein member and convicted IRA/SF terrorist was one of
three men questioned by gardaí in Listowel, Co Kerry, last night, in
connection with the armed hold-up of a Securicor truck last month.
During the arrests of the two men on Saturday, garda uniforms and a
blue light beacon were seized. It has been confirmed by the Garda
Siochana that the man has close links to SF/IRA election candidate,
and convicted terrorist Martin Ferris.
Source (ST) 24-01a.doc (IEx) 24-01b.doc
25th March
Army bomb disposal experts are examining a suspect device found at an
army training camp in County Londonderry. Last month a Security Guard
was injured when a republican bomb was thrown into the base.
Source (BBC) 25-01a.doc
25th March
"Protestant schoolchildren and their parents came under attack from
paint bombs and bricks on Monday when trouble flared outside their
school. Parents and pupils from Currie Primary School on the Limestone
Road, north Belfast, were attacked with bottles, bricks and paint
bombs. Parents said the children are regular targets for sectarian
abuse from residents from the Newington and Parkside areas.
Nicola Wallace, who has children in Primary 3 and 7 (Aged 7 and 11),
said she fears for her children's safety. "It's getting out of hand.
Every day there is an incident and the children are frightened. Pupils
who were supposed to go swimming couldn't as they couldn't leave the
building. "At lunch time, there was a group of youths with their faces
covered standing with baseball bats. Also, there is often a group of
men who stand outside the shops and shout sectarian abuse as we take
the children to and from school."
said she fears for her children's safety. "It's getting out of hand.
Every day there is an incident and the children are frightened. Pupils
who were supposed to go swimming couldn't as they couldn't leave the
building. "At lunch time, there was a group of youths with their faces
covered standing with baseball bats. Also, there is often a group of
men who stand outside the shops and shout sectarian abuse as we take
the children to and from school."
Community worker Eddie McClean said the problems at Currie Primary
School started "long before" the well-publicised incidents at Holy
Cross primary school in nearby Ardoyne. "These children are
traumatised. They are being attacked on a regular basis," he said. The
DUP's Ian Crozier and Nigel Dodds blamed republican factions for the
attacks. Mr Dodds said: "It is clear from the events that republicans
are not interested in ending the cycle of violence in north Belfast.
In fact, they are attempting to plunge the area back into the position
it was in a few months ago, by igniting a Holy Cross-style dispute
around Currie Primary School. On a daily basis, children and parents
at Currie primary are faced with a gauntlet of violence and
intimidation from republicans, who on numerous occasions have actually
attacked people going to and from the school."
School started "long before" the well-publicised incidents at Holy
Cross primary school in nearby Ardoyne. "These children are
traumatised. They are being attacked on a regular basis," he said. The
DUP's Ian Crozier and Nigel Dodds blamed republican factions for the
attacks. Mr Dodds said: "It is clear from the events that republicans
are not interested in ending the cycle of violence in north Belfast.
In fact, they are attempting to plunge the area back into the position
it was in a few months ago, by igniting a Holy Cross-style dispute
around Currie Primary School. On a daily basis, children and parents
at Currie primary are faced with a gauntlet of violence and
intimidation from republicans, who on numerous occasions have actually
attacked people going to and from the school."
Mr Crozier, who also serves as a governor at the school, said police
would have to take a tougher line.
On Monday night, Mr Dodds and the headmistress of Currie Primary
School called for immediate extra security in the area."
Source (BNL) 25-02a.doc (BBC) 25-02b.doc (EW) (CW)
would have to take a tougher line.
On Monday night, Mr Dodds and the headmistress of Currie Primary
School called for immediate extra security in the area."
Source (BNL) 25-02a.doc (BBC) 25-02b.doc (EW) (CW)
26th March
Sinn Fein/IRA godfather Martin McGuinness has rejected requests by
relatives of the 29 people and unborn twins killed in the Omagh bomb
to urge Republicans with information about the attack to go to the
Irish police. The Real IRA, a splinter group made up of disaffected
members of Martin McGuinness's terror gang claimed responsibility for
the massacre in August 1998.
Source (NT) 26-01a.doc
29th March
A 40-year-old Protestant civilian was the target of an IRA booby-trap
car bomb yesterday in Co. Tyrone. The 2lb semtex-bomb with a mercury
tilt-switch has been used on numerous occasions by IRA/SF terrorists
to murder vulnerable Protestants. On this occasion the target had
driven 40 miles (65km) while the device, attached to his car failed to
detonate. The alert was raised yesterday morning when a neighbour, who
was driving in the opposite direction, saw the device hanging from
under the front of the intended victim's car as they passed each other
in the village of Newtownstewart, midway between Sion Mills and Omagh.
The neighbour immediately alerted the police and when officers arrived
at the man's Meadow Park home in Sion Mills, they found the bomb.
PSNI Insp Andy Lemon said if the bomb had exploded, there could have
been widespread casualties. "This was a massive booby trap bomb and to
attempt to murder this man on Good Friday is simply horrendous. Any
one of three members of this man's family could have driven this car,
the bomb could have exploded anywhere, maiming or killing anyone. When
we got the call from the man's neighbour, we immediately rushed to the
man's home and found the device under his car. An army technical
officer carried out a controlled explosion to make the bomb safe. We
had to evacuate 150 people from their homes to safety during the
operation to make the device safe. Looking around me now at how many
children are playing on the streets on a bright sunny day, it makes
you realise how lucky not only this man was, but also other innocent
members of the public."
Source (BBC) 29-01a.doc (IT) 29-01b.doc
been widespread casualties. "This was a massive booby trap bomb and to
attempt to murder this man on Good Friday is simply horrendous. Any
one of three members of this man's family could have driven this car,
the bomb could have exploded anywhere, maiming or killing anyone. When
we got the call from the man's neighbour, we immediately rushed to the
man's home and found the device under his car. An army technical
officer carried out a controlled explosion to make the bomb safe. We
had to evacuate 150 people from their homes to safety during the
operation to make the device safe. Looking around me now at how many
children are playing on the streets on a bright sunny day, it makes
you realise how lucky not only this man was, but also other innocent
members of the public."
Source (BBC) 29-01a.doc (IT) 29-01b.doc
30th March
Several well-known members of IRA/SF are among 6 people arrested by
detectives investigating the security breach at Castlereagh Police
Station earlier in the month. They include the IRA's so-called
Intelligence Officer, Bobby Storey, the man responsible for the
interrogation and execution of police informers. The four men and two
women were arrested in swoops on republican areas of Belfast and
Londonderry. During the security breach at Castlereagh on St. Patricks
day, a gang of men assaulted an officer on duty before stealing
documents relating to Police agents, including names of agents and
their Police handlers.
Source (BBC) 30-01a.doc (BT) 30-01b.doc (Gu) 30-01c.doc
30th March
A number of Protestant-owned houses have been damaged after
nationalist gangs went on the rampage in the Duncairn Gardens and
North Queen Street areas of Belfast. Police, intervening to keep the
nationalists back, came under attack. There are numerous reports of
injuries and of vehicles being hi-jacked and burnt out. A police
spokesman said several officers and soldiers were injured and more
than 40 petrol bombs were thrown at security force vehicles - several
of which sustained damage.
Source (UTV) 30-02a.doc (EW) (CW)
30th March
A pregnant Protestant teenager spoke last night of her trauma at
seeing her Roman Catholic fiancée blasted in the legs by a republican
gang. The republican thugs had recently sprayed graffiti in north
Belfast accusing the man of being a "tout" (informer) simply because
he defied their bigotry to visit his Protestant fiancée's home.
Source (SL) 30-03a.doc
31st March
The main political parties in the Republic of Ireland have agreed a
strategy to combat Sinn Fein/IRA vote stealing in the up-coming Irish
General Election. Sinn Fein is widely accused of personation. The
leader of the Fine Gael party, Mr Noonan said: "As you are aware,
there were reports of widespread personation during the parliamentary
elections in Northern Ireland last year. I am concerned that Sinn Fein
may be planning similar activity during the forthcoming election
here."
A former Sinn Fein election worker, Willie Carlin, has claimed that
Martin McGuinness got into politics, thanks to systematic
vote-stealing by republicans. Mr Carlin, a key Sinn Fein worker from
1982 to 1985, says a decisive 2,700 votes were cast fraudulently for
the present Northern Ireland education minister by party supporters in
the 1982 Stormont assembly elections.Later, a party was organised for
the election workers and Mr Carlin alleges that a plaque was presented
to the person who had voted the most times. The winner, a woman, had
cast 67 ballots, just two ahead of the runner-up, he said.
Source (SI) 31-01a.doc
Martin McGuinness got into politics, thanks to systematic
vote-stealing by republicans. Mr Carlin, a key Sinn Fein worker from
1982 to 1985, says a decisive 2,700 votes were cast fraudulently for
the present Northern Ireland education minister by party supporters in
the 1982 Stormont assembly elections.Later, a party was organised for
the election workers and Mr Carlin alleges that a plaque was presented
to the person who had voted the most times. The winner, a woman, had
cast 67 ballots, just two ahead of the runner-up, he said.
Source (SI) 31-01a.doc
AN - Ananova
BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation
BNL - Belfast News Letter (www.newsletter.co.uk)
BT - Belfast Telegraph
CW - Community Worker(s)
EW - Eye-Witness
Gu - The Guardian
HZ - Ha'aretz (Middle-East newspaper)
Iec - Irish Echo
IEx - Irish Examiner
II - Irish Independent
IT - Irish Times
NT - news.telegraph.co.uk
Ob - Observer (www.observer.co.uk)
SI - Sunday Independent
SL - Sunday Life
SM - Shankill Mirror
STr -Sunday Tribune
UH - Ulster Herald
UTV - Ulster Television
