Northern Ireland: in brief (8)
01 January 1991
Northern Ireland: in brief
artdoc August=1994
Witnesses Compromised by RUC: Following a loyalist killing in
Belfast early this year, the RUC invited four witnesses to
Donegall Pass RUC station where an identification parade was
organised including the prime suspect.. The witnesses were
assured that they would be screened from the suspect and their
anonymity secured. This did not happen, however. The first
witness was called into a small room in which ten men were lined
up. According to this witness, `the policeman read out my name,
address and the statement I had made earlier. Everyone in the
room heard, all the people in the line-up, including the
suspect.' The same thing happened to two more of the witnesses
who are now living in fear of their lives. Irish News, 6.5.94.
Move on Transfers: Eleven republican prisoners held in English
prisons are to be transferred to the North shortly. It is almost
two years since the Ferrers Report recommended that transfer
criteria be liberalised, a change accepted by government in a
statement at Westminster. The transfers will be for six months
only in the first instance. Among the eleven is Pat McLaughlin
given a life sentence for conspiring to blow up Chelsea Barracks.
McLaughlin's claim that he is completely innocent was recently
supported by a statement from the Irish National Liberation Army
clearing him of any involvement with the group or the Chelsea
operation. Supporters of McLaughlin have been campaigning for a
fresh appeal but this was turned down by Home Office minister
David McLean in April.
Directing Terrorism: For the first time, the new charge under the
Emergency Provisions Act 1991 of `directing terrorism' has been
used. Two loyalist suspects have been charged with `directing the
activities of an organisation concerned in the commission of acts
of terrorism, namely the Ulster Freedom Fighters.' One of the
suspects also faces five murder charges.