Today The Pensive Quill carries a statement by the Republican Network for Unity in response to the Friends of Irish Freedom
A Chara,
Due to a number of inaccurate allegations printed in the Belfast Telegraph regarding our National Chairperson, Carl Reilly, the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) would like the opportunity to respond to these groundless claims by the Friends of Irish Freedom (FOIF).
First and foremost, RNU is an Irish Socialist-Republican pressure/lobby group. A large amount of our members are former Republican prisoners. Throughout the first half of 2010, our imprisoned comrades in Maghaberry Gaol and their families were enduring terrible conditions. As a result of these conditions our Network established a POW Department last November.
A few days after Christmas, RNU’s former Chairperson, Danny McBrearty from Derry received a large OPENED envelope from the FOIF in America. Inside were a number of Christmas cards which contained money for the dependants of political prisoners in Ireland. Danny immediately contacted the FOIF asking why he was sent the envelope in the first place as he never had any previous dealings in the distribution of money for POW’s. The Spokesperson who he spoke to asked RNU to ensure the cards were distributed to those addressees. Danny also informed the head of our new POW Department, Carl Reilly that when the terrible weather conditions improved, the cards would be delivered to him in Belfast. Unfortunately, the unprecedented weather lasted longer than anyone imagined, and combined with the Christmas holiday period, Carl did not take hold of the cards until, January 7th.
On January 9th, Carl contacted his counterparts in the other prisoners groups, notifying them about the cards. This can be confirmed by Teach Na Failte, Cabhair, IRPWA and representatives of Independent POWs’. The following morning, the RUC/PSNI along with the British Army raided his Cafe. During the search, the unreformed RUC demanded to know what was inside the envelopes. They were informed that they were Christmas cards and money for prisoners. Carl was immediately notified that they would be seized as part of the raid. Before being taken away, he was allowed to count the cards and money, which would ensure that the same amount would be returned. It was then, and only then, that he discovered that POWs’ had been sent unequal amounts of money.
Soon afterwards, RNU issued a statement to the media detailing the raid as well as the insults to prisoners and the seizure of money. Prior to us notifying FOIF that the money had been seized by the RUC/PSNI, they had already read our Press statement and demanded to know why the cards were in Belfast. After giving them a full and honest explanation as to what had occurred, they were clearly unhappy with what RNU had to say. Its Treasurer then proceeded to insult RNU members on its Face book page. When challenged about this, an email was sent to Carl Reilly by Cathleen O’Brien stating that she would destroy our Network.
When Carl eventually received the cards and money back from the RUC/PSNI, he and other members of our POW Department checked the contents against the list he had compiled during the raid. They felt it would be hurtful to give unequal funds to the POWs’ we represented and then ignore others. Being an Irish republican organisation which champions equality, our activists, with the blessing of the father of one of the POWs’, felt that the money should be allocated to those we had a duty of care to on an equal basis. Those POWs’ have since publically agreed with that action and have also asked the FOIF not to use their names in future to fund raise.
RNU evenly distributed the money to a small number of prisoners. Immediately afterwards, the other cards containing money was given to the respective prisoner groups. Unfortunately, we didn’t have everyone’s address and asked other friends to deliver them to the relevant families. In one instance the card was not delivered to the proper address. However, we have been informed that this has now been resolved and the family of the late Óglach John Brady has publicly confirmed this to be the case. Another card had been given to a third person to deliver, and we were unaware that it had not been passed on, but this has also been rectified. We apologise to both those families for the delay and for not following up on the cards given to a third party to deliver. We believe that this is RNU’s only error is this state of affairs. We wish to reassure people that there was nothing underhand as alleged by FOIF.
In conclusion, the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) reiterates that the accusations against our National Chairperson are ridiculous and unfounded. We will defend our integrity and that of our Activists. We are currently seeking legal advice on this matter due to the defamatory and slanderous accusations by FOIF and our Network will issue no further comment on this matter.
On behalf of the National Executive of RNU
Martin Óg Meehan
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Martin you claim that the cards were opened during the crown force raid and that money was redistributed after it was returned. However, Carl Reilly stated in an email:
ReplyDelete, I opened them in the presence of TWO members of the RNU leadership and put the money together and divided it equally between all twelve, I will not allow Cathleen to treat any pow differently!!
If Cathleen wants to know were the envolpes are? they are in the custody of the RUC!!!
This suggests that the envelopes were opened before the crown forces raid because money was sent to only 3 out of 12 RNU-linked prisoners.
Reilly states this himself as the reason for opening envelopes and redistributing the money which you claim didn't happen until after the money was returned by the crown forces.
However, Reilly wrote this before the money was given back and this email totally contradicts the sequence of events outlined in your statement. Could you please explain these contradictions.
Mr Meehan, first let me ask you a very simple question, why was I not informed by you or Reilly that an envelope addressed to me was seized by the psni? Had I known I’d have raised a stink about psni harassment. Surely it was my entitlement to be told?
ReplyDeleteBefore I take a good look at your statement I want to ask you a personal question, what did you mean by posting this disgusting statement about me on IR.Net “, Jim McAllister and Cathleen O'Brien are using this issue as an excuse to 'attack' RNU for their own political/personal agendas, “ Your arrogance is breathtaking and I want an apology for that statement as I have absolutely no interest in either you or this, RNU.
I also want to point out that RNU have still not delivered the card addressed to me and therefore you and Reilly are still responsible for it and any claim that all envelopes have been delivered is a lie and I use that word in full knowledge of its meaning, my card has not been delivered so to say all cards have been delivered is a lie..
I will address your main statement later as I think it holds little water.
(apologies if this or similar appears twice as I am having troublwe sending it)
That's my take on it too Zenarchist, also as Jim has said on here no money has been received him as yet
ReplyDeleteA Chairde, I get the feeling that this is the cusp of a mother of all rows,If mistakes have been made by one or all sides ,surely our history of being divided and conquered should teach us that we must stand together or divided we will surely fall,this is problem that can be resolved if there is a genuine will by genuine republicans, I suggest both sides get together through a respected and trusted mediator to resolve this,the psf has all but destroyed any will to continue this struggle,anymore internal dissention can be fatal to this fledgling regrouping of republicans,and I,m afraid these people will return to the private lives they adopted when they relaised that psf was selling out,if this gets out of hand then the title of Anthonys book will be true but with a slight change to the title ie,. A Few Quid..The Death Of Irish Republicanism.
ReplyDeleteA Chairde,
ReplyDeleteTotally support Jim McAllister's statement. An apology and amends are due. We can all make mistakes and we need to try as comrades, to give each other the benefit of the doubt,in the interests of Republican Unity. Respect is critical in the collective. There are important lessons to be learned from this!
beir bua,
Brian Clarke
aye lads horns-in FFS.
ReplyDeletedunno bout a mediator, surely to good christ it's not a fued already?
get real.
if the cards out there get on the train with it. story over.
Dundalk harpic is gorge-o-lisshus.
I wonder if some of the prisoner's
ReplyDeleteor their familys got this money in
pounds or dollers- Jim Mcallister
says he never saw a green-back,
Is r.n.u trying to blame their
FORMER chairperson who they say first receive'd these envelope's
from america- they don't say if he
resigned or got the push or if he is still a member
Giving some of the money to a smaller number of prisoner's is not
equality its elitism.
A merger yesterday, a fallout today
ReplyDeletewhat is the ordinary punter to deduce from that..?
maybe that the present boyos dont hang around on ceremony. zzzzzzzzz
Marty,
ReplyDeleteWise words indeed, after looking about the net their now this has blown well out of control. Hope for everyones sake it can be resolved quickly. The only ones who benefit from this are those opposed to alternative republicanism.
Fírinne inár gcroíthe
Neart inár lámha
Comhsheasmhacht inár dteangacha
Jim, as I said on Slugger to yourself and on Facebook to your daughter regarding the whole issue and debacle chara, yous have my sincere apologies unreservedly!
ReplyDeleteI have been reliably informed that your family now has Turloch's donation and I genuinely hope this is the case?
As for comments I posted on IR.NET? Well, they were simply to outline my humble belief that both yourself and Cathleen were engaging in a little politiking 'against' RNU. Nothing sinister was meant only that given that you both in the past had declared your dislike of our Network, that your statements to the Telegraph confirmed that.
If however, I caused you any hurt by my comments, I'm sorry. That was certainly not my intention. Most of what was said was done so in the cut and thrust of an online debate.
I'm just sorry that the whole situation took a turn for the worst. Let's hope all involved can resolve their differences. Adh Mhor Ort.
Micheal Henry, Please catch yourself on...RNU is not trying to blame our former Chairperson for anything!
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, whilst Danny McBrearty is not our National Chairperson, he does remain on our Ard Chomhairle and plays a full role in our Network.
Having had a read of the statement I’m not sure where to start because the whole thing is so lame and none of it stands up to scrutiny.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, complaining about the bad weather is totally lame and reminds me about all the jokes in English TV programmes about trains late due to ‘the wrong kind of snow’ or ‘wet leaves on the line’; The cards arrived on Christmas Eve, allow a couple of days for the holidays and the worst of the weather was past. Even Maghaberry only stopped visits for a few days before Christmas. You had the cards for a fortnight at least before the PSNI lifted them and if you couldn’t deliver them in that time then you are a very disorganised outfit unworthy of the word ‘network’ or ‘unity’ in your title.
Secondly you had no right whatsoever to open envelopes and right to reallocate monies. The Americans had allocated to families on the grounds of number of children and most people would see that as laudable apart from Reilly who appears to think that people with 6 or 7 children need no more than those with none. What you call ‘allocation’ would be called misappropriation of funds by most people and probably by those lawyers you seem so fond of. The family which was supposed to receive 350 dollars, for instance and only received two hundred would have a case if they were as fond of the law as you are.
Thirdly, a number of envelopes appear to have been sent to people who were not those named on the address and you had no right to do that without having first cleared it with the person it was intended for , something you definitely didn‘t do in my case. In my own case Reilly has said he gave the envelope to CJC who claims to have given it to a man in the Felons club and this Felons drinker is supposed to have given it to a man in Newry. Apparently it is still with the man in Newry. Thanks be to all that it is only an envelope. Mr Meehan, the whole idea of having a name and an address on an envelope is to tell who it is to be delivered to.
I won't even look at how you have treated the Americans except to say it was abysmal.
Republican network old hand-
ReplyDeleteI dont know if i will ever catch myself on- to r.n.u's arguments
But dont worry- its only the cut and thrust of an online debate
Once again Micheal Henry, you've outshone yourself chara.
ReplyDeleteYou spoke earlier about elitism while alluding that D.McB. had been 'pushed' etc but your last comment failed to accept the facts about Danny stepping down from the Chairperson's position...
I wonder why?
Republican Network - Could you explain to us why Martin Óg Meehan's statement contradict's Carl Reilly's email in regard to when the envelopes were opened and the money 'redistributed'? This question was asked in the first reply but has not been addressed.
ReplyDeleteJim all I've to say about your lengthy post regarding our statement is;
ReplyDeleteRNU have attempted through our statement to clarify what took place concerning the cards and money sent by the FOIF. Although, it must be stressed that RNU never before recieved anything from this particular group nor did we ask for it to be delivered to us. Suffice to say, we did what we thought was best and people are quite entitled to disagree with how we handled it all. Although, we feel contacting the media and stating we stole money was absolutly false.
Danny McBrearty was only given the OPENED envelope a few days AFTER Xmas and due to weather conditions, he wasn't able to travel to Belfast...Soon afterwards, the Peelers siezed the POWs' property!
As I always say, everyone's quite entitled to hold their opinions, as are you. However,we are right to have consulted Lawyers about such a slanderous and inaccurate media story.
RNU and I feel we've done our best to help everyone understand the circumstances. Again please accept our apoligises and good luck.
Martin Og Meehan
Republican Network;
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid your reliable source is very unreliable as we do not have the donation' and it would appear to be still under RNU control. it is worth adding that this is not about the donation as such but about how the whole thing has been handled and how we have been treated including being accused of having agendas and so on.
Your reliable source has told you an untruth which says a lot about your people.
Then you say," As for comments I posted on IR.NET? Well, they were simply to outline my humble belief that both yourself and Cathleen were engaging in a little politiking 'against' RNU. Nothing sinister was meant only that given that you both in the past had declared your dislike of our Network, that your statements to the Telegraph confirmed that."
I can only describe that as total hogwash: Show me one statement from the past where I expressed 'dislike' of RNU ! My 'statement' to the telegraph was nothing more than an answer to a question and my answer was just that Turloch nor I had not recieved a card and I could have added that we didn't even know a card existed until informed of it by the journalist. Now that is hardly a "statement" to the Telegraph or an indication of 'dislike' of the RNU.
What is my opinion of the RNU now? I'll let you guess that one.
Martin Og ,I can understand where St Mary Hedgehog is coming from here mo cara, this is soul destroying .and akin to washing your dirty laundry in public, WE who believe in the republican cause need to be united and strong ,we face an enemy that has grown stronger than ever by incorporating ex republican who have become their extra eyes and ears and yes executioners,I personally would say do whatever it takes to sort this out with Jim and the other pows families,if theft is involved deal with it ,if its incompetence sort it out mo cara.
ReplyDeletethank you guys
ReplyDeletefor making me feel wonderful about life this lovely spring day. Thankful im neither a member nor affiliated to any political party.
salamat po. [thats thank you in Tagalog].
Friday the 18th and despite Mr Mehan's assurances and his 'reliable sources' RNU have still not delivered the envelope in their charge and addresed to me.
ReplyDeleteAs an outside party might I suggest this, the six counties is a comparatively small place, instead of engaging with each other in a strop openly over the net, and as one commentator has said 'washing this dirty lien in public.' Might it be better for any differences to be reconciled face to face and only then should the parties involved jointly (if possible) post to the web.
ReplyDeleteIf this means RNU officials getting in a car or on a bus, and retrieving envelopes which have gone astray, and then giving them to their rightful owners personally so be it.
Marty is spot on when he writes,
"this is soul destroying .and akin to washing your dirty laundry in public, WE who believe in the republican cause need to be united and strong"
Comradely regards
A Chairde,
ReplyDeleteI am glad Jim McAlister has raised this issue. It has clarified a few concerns I have had for a while now. I expect more attention to detail, respect to both the families of POWs and the good people who collected all of these donations in the first instance from possible leadership.
RNU in this whole matter has for me, again displayed a certain lack of leadership qualities required, to take the movement forward to the next level, with all due respect to everyone concerned this is not personal.
Liam Clarke's hype of RNU in the Belfast Telegraph today makes little sense in the light of this matter. Perhaps RNU would also let fellow republicans into the recipe that is required to get material published on Indymedia Ireland, while other traditional republicans are censored consistently ?
This matter needs to be discussed in public, so that people know whats going on. The last thing we need is another Adam's family type coup d'état in the republican movement. I trust everyone involved have good intentions but then the road to hell was paved with good intentions.
Look, its the middle of February and certain POWs haven't received their x-mas money yet, which is a disgrace to put it mildly. RNU cannot expect to have credibility after such a performance. We have to look elsewhere for leadership. I will be the first one to put my hands up and say, I personally don't have them, rather than have the arrogance to pretend I do. Good republicans are watching and waiting ! Irish Republican Principles before Personalities! RNU's ideas about unity are good but we need much better than this !
beir bua
brian clarke
Martin Og I think Mick Hall and Brian Clarke have said all that needs to be said mo cara,knock this issue on the head,its not hard to sort out,I like a lot of others are/were expecting a more assertive leadership from RNU,Wishing you well.
ReplyDeleteHaving read through both accounts of what transpired since Christmas day, I agree with marty and Mick Hall...’just make it right'. I would also like to mention that respect and accountability go a long way in bonding with other organizations with similar goals.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the alleged “intimidation" of Cathleen O'Brien by a member of the newly formed RNU in the USA - THAT IS NOT COOL!
The idea is to 'bond and join forces', not to alienate or think because you come from the north you have a right of passage to start giving orders to people in the USA who have 'paid their dues' so to speak.
I’m with Larry; I am no longer affiliated with any political party or organization due to these very reasons. I work independently. However, I do support FOIF as I would any other republican organizations who take care of the pows and their families and who are working toward the reunification of Ireland.
The year is 2011. The Brits are still in control in the north. IPOWs are rapidly filling the jails again. The RUC/PSNI is getting further funding to carry out their harassment of republicans. Don't you think it's time we learn from the past and get it right this time?
To true Helen,the poison dwarf or for the politically correct the verticaly challenged Donaldson went to America with a do as I say attitude, and look at the damage he done.
ReplyDeleteAs Harry Connollly, the fairy man, said in Carleton's 'The Mad Pudding' ,"... the sun's in the suds, and the moon is in the high horricks, there's a clipstick coming on..Cross yourselves three times in the name of the four Mandromarvins for as prophecy says, 'Fill the pot, eddy supernaculum-a blazing star's a rare spectaculum.' "
ReplyDeleteThe card addressed to me finally arrived this afternoon having been brought by a man who was given it by another man in Newry. It is important to point out that neither of these men have any connection to RNU and should not have had to deal with this in the first place and I lay no blame whatsoever on them as the duty to deliver lay with RNU.
The card was opened when I got it and I have been assured that it was already opened when it arived in Newry' I find it distasteful that RNU would send an envelope , the contents of which were private, in an opened envelope through the hands of 5 or 6 different people and wonder whether they couldn't find another envelope of have never heard of sellotape.
I have already notified Cathleen O'Brien in N.Y. before posting this as I thought it only fair to let FOIF know first.
Gerry Mc Geough found guilty,Mc Anspie aquited political decision or what ,sickening ,
ReplyDeleteya, sickening about Gerry, a curse on british rule
ReplyDeleteSad news about gerry mcgeough- but
ReplyDeletenow the good friday agreement comes into play for him to get him back to his loving family
They say that every cloud has a silver lining and it was great to
see McAnspie walking out of the
court a happy and free person
michaelhenry,
ReplyDelete'Sad news about gerry mcgeough- but
now the good friday agreement comes into play for him to get him back to his loving family'
Are you for real? Using a guilty verdict against McGeough to plug the GFA?
IF Gerry 'only' has to serve 2 years, (which is by no means a forgone conclusion), why is he inside while that clown McGuinness is wandering around boasting of his IRA past?
Why were PSF noticable by their absence today? Why has he had no support from his MP, who is a neighbour of his?
Now that we have a Provo as a POW, why is the party who claim to back them not supporting him?
A Chara,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on receiving your OPENED x-mas card, Via 2 men from Newry, via RNU VIA PANI, from New York, on the 18th February 2011 ! Jim !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfz9O_mSY1U
Does this decision now set a precedent and shall we expect the peelers to started scooping wholesale. Will they go knocking on the doors of members of the SF leadership?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't hold my breath...
British government and PSF collusion to silence McGeough.
ReplyDeleteThe politically motivated arrest and now conviction of Gerry McGeough was a set up as soon as Gerry challenged PSF in the 2007 elections on an anti-psni platform at the time Adams/McGuinness were telling everyone to 'cooperate' with them. It's more than a sell out, it's treason. They worked hand and hand with the Brits to silence McGeough.
The ONLY WAY to PAY PSF BACK is at ELECTION TME and I would expect that anyone who is against injustice will give PSF the shaft they deserve when that time comes.
I can't begin to explain the sadness and disgust I feel at this time. If all these Irish republican groups, here and abroad, can put their egos in check - there is still work to be done on behalf of McGeough and all other Irish political prisoners.
In the USA, Gerry would be entitled to an appeal. I'm in the process of contacting his attorney to see what can be done.
Please continue to monitor the freegerry.com web site for updates and action items. An injustice of this kind (being sold out by his own comrades) should only serve to bring about a more united front against PSF as they have proven to be the cunning cowards they are.
I realize there are a number of people who do not share Gerry’s religious or political beliefs and that’s fine. However, they should not allow that to get in the way of them standing up to injustice, regardless of who the person is or what they believe. I have not been a PSF supporter since the signing of the GFA, but I didn’t let McAnespie hang out to dry in the last 4 years because he is a shinner.
Jim am pleased you've now recieved the card for your son. Given the long delay, it was long overdue. Over the past few days, I've attempted to apoligise unreservedly to you and your daugther on behalf of RNU for the whole sorry situation. Unfortunately, without any kind of acknowledgement from yous, but such is life...
ReplyDeleteAs has been clearly pointed out by us that no THEFT took place, at least we've been proven correct on that score! In terms of, the envelope being opened. Well, as we said all along - when the main parcel arrived in Derry, it was already opened. Then, the scumbags in the RUC/PSNI opened each and every card individually before seizing them all for a period.
Anyhow, let's hope everyone can put this whole debacle behind us and move forward? I don't imagine the FOIF nor Suzanne Breen will be issuing any statement that monies belonging to POWs' wasn't stolen by Carl Reilly or RNU. Because that wouldn't make the headlines, would it?
Again Jim, my sincere apoligises for the unwarrented delay and I wish you the best of luck. Oiche Mhaith.
Martin Og Meehan
wonder what Paul Butler and Raymond McCartney might say about Gerry's case? schtum???
ReplyDeleteJim
delighted u got the card. First thing i saw when i opened the thread. good stuff guys.
Helen
same as, i'd love to do somethin constructive...as long as constructive is out there.
Helen I for one believed/hoped that having a member of psf in the dock alongside Gerry would make a political verdit to complicated for the brits to convict,as has been already said its going to be interesting to see now how people like Willie Frazer and co react it should be a green light for them to push for more convictins against other republicans including those in psf ,whether they be mla,s or dfm, this is some peace dividend for republicans .
ReplyDeleteMr Meehan;
ReplyDeleteYou make much of the fact that you apologised for your, for reilly's and for your runner, Ciaran's appalling inability to deliver an envelope to Cullyhanna or to even inform me that such an envelope existed leaving me to find out from a decent journalist. You have failed to apologise for accusing me of having a personal/political agenda against your RNU and have consistently tried to weasel out of your drastic handling of this business. To be honest, I am still not sure if each family has recieved the money they were entitled to.
I accused nobody of theft nor am I aware that anybody accused Reilly or RNU of theft but I do believe an accusation of Three Stoogies management style could be lodged after each of your names.
I still want to hear from you why you did not tell me that an envelope for me existed in the first place and secondly that it had been siezed by the police. These are important questions; when somebody takes it upon themselves to look after a matter such as this they have a duty to let everyone concerned know what is happening.
You seem to think that you are entitled to some kind of thanks from us which can only be described as weird in theb extreme.
Congratulations to the many members of the RNU for supporting Gerry McGeough at his 'verdict' today.
ReplyDeleteJim, I can assure you RNU nor I do not seek or want any apology from you or your Clann. However, it would be decent of yous to acknowledge that we issued countless apoligies in relation to the whole delay chara. Especially given that you had no issue using the Telegraph and internet to constantly slight us...
ReplyDeleteYou make much of the fact that RNU didn't contact you about the existance of the card and money etc..Would it be bold of me to ask you, just how many times that you contacted RNU, before or after knowing of the card? As most of us are quite well-known as is email address?
Your description of Breen as a decent Journalist is strange given that she wrongly labelled our Chairperson a thief. I can asure you that I have never once attenmpted to 'weasel' out of anything chara. Each and every time, I've been asked a question by you or a member of your family - it has been answered clearly...If those particular answers don't quite meet your requirements, there's not too much I can about that only try harder next time.
Regards why you weren't 'contacted' by our POW Department about your card and money or about their seizure, I totally agree they were/are important issues. I can only say that you and all those families should've been told chara. There's no disagreement between us on that! What I do know is that those mistakes will not occur again and we've learned from this hard lesson.
Again Good Luck Jim.....
John McGirr-
ReplyDeleteLets hope gerry mcgeough can get
bail whilst he puts in a appeal
Are you going to bluff us all and say that mcgeough should not use the G.F.A if the appeal does not work
McGuinness can boast about the RA all he wants as the bloody sunday inquiry keeps him immune
But he certainly would not go to a foreign country and sign all the
statements of the day against
him-self about a individual shooting
Noticable by their absence you say-
thats funny- i seen one walk out of court because he kept quiet.
I am sorry for Gerry McGeough and his family. I can't understand the PSNI's reasoning for bringing this prosecution against Gerry. He has publicly opposed the continuation of the armed struggle and I've seen no evidence that he is involved with any armed republican group. Since there is a tacit amnesty for offences committed before the GFA, this prosecution does seem to be politically motivated. As John McGirr rightly argues, if the British can do business with Martin McGuinness and provide him with Mercs and perks, why do they have to pursue Gerry McGeough? This sets a dangerous precedent, for it has the potential to discourage dissident republicans from using peaceful means to achieve their objectives. I mean, if Gerry McGeough gets sent down for his opposition to PSF and the PSNI, then what is the point?
ReplyDeletemichaelhenry,
ReplyDelete‘Are you going to bluff us all and say that mcgeough should not use the G.F.A if the appeal does not work’
Your party has done its best to label Gerry as a “dissident”. If that label sticks then he may not be eligible.
‘McGuinness can boast about the RA all he wants as the bloody sunday inquiry keeps him immune’
Funny, I remember seeing him boast about it in the 70’s, never done time for it though. Makes you wonder…….
‘But he certainly would not go to a foreign country and sign all the
statements of the day against
him-self about a individual shooting’
That is the statement that means I now intend to ignore you, for the contemptible, uninformed ignoramus that you are.
‘Noticable by their absence you say-
thats funny- i seen one walk out of court because he kept quiet.’
I wouldn’t imagine that he didn’t notice the lack of support PSF gave him! They obviously didn’t want to offend their DUP buddies who were their in force!
Mr Meehan, why in the name of anything would I even try to contact a group which had had an envelope addressed to me for weeks and did not think it worth their while to tell me they had it, when this letter was seized by police and you or RNU did not think it worth your while to tell me and then you wonder why I didn't contact you?
ReplyDeleteWhat in the name of anything would I contact you for when you had things belonging to me and never told me. You actually say "You make much of the fact that RNU didn't contact you about the existence of the card and money etc..Would it be bold of me to ask you, just how many times that you contacted RNU, before or after knowing of the card", !! What would inspire me to contact you before knowing of the card? What would inspire me to contact you after the disgraceful way you handled both the cards and the whole issue of them.
I do believe Breen is a decent journalist and fair play to her for letting a bit of light shine on the murky nature of this whole shambles. I might as well tell you now that as far as I was concerned this was now finished but as you wish to continue playing the victim and labelling me as somehow having acted wrongly in this case then I will continue to stand up for myself and my family; If you want to keep the issue alive, well, that's fine with me but you need to get it out of your head that somehow you are entitled to some form of 'acknowledgement' when you say "it would be decent of yous to acknowledge that we issued countless apoligies in relation to the whole delay chara. Especially given that you had no issue using the Telegraph and internet to constantly slight us..." given that what you call a "slight" was me saying that we had got no card, a fact, not a slight but perhaps you'd have liked me to lie for you.
My daughter showed clearly on facebook that your apologies only came after she explained the whole sequence of your incompetence.
I have nothing to apologise for, nothing to thank you for and the only thing I can 'acknowledge' is the ugly natuire of your attitude towards FOIF and myself.
Your handling of the whole issue was and is pathetic.
marty,
ReplyDelete'Donaldson went to America with a do as I say attitude, and look at the damage he done'.
So true marty. There were individuals back here at the time that did not trust him due to the fact he was slowly alienating a lot of good, die-hard republicans. What shocked me most at the time was the fact that republican organizations in the US were actually taking their marching orders from him? Deathly afraid to question his decisions.
He was successful at causing a great deal of division within the various IA groups which later resulted in the ousting of many hard workin and dedicated people to the cause of Irish freedom.
I can't stand all this division here and abroad and I wish I could wave a magic wand to stop all of it.
michaelhenry,
ReplyDelete'Sad news about gerry mcgeough- but now the good friday agreement comes into play for him to get him back to his loving family'
That statement is what I would call a backhanded comment! PSF and the GFA should have prevented this miscarriage of justice to begin with.
As for McAnespie. I am very happy for him and his family. He so deserves his freedom. Now that he is out, I hope he will campaign to help McGeough now too.
In the interim, michaelhenry, don't pretend you give a damn about McGeough. Also, I have never seen you speak out in 4 years on McAnespie's behalf either. In my opinion I find you to be a hypocrite.
Larry,
ReplyDelete'same as, i'd love to do somethin constructive...as long as constructive is out there'.
I agree. Then we should all insist these organizations be 'constructive' in order to gain our support.
John McGirr,
ReplyDelete'Why were PSF noticeable by their absence today? Why has he had no support from his MP, who is a neighbour of his?
His MP came out tonight and demanded Gerry's immediate release. Too little, too late. Her demand for Gerry's release was hypocritical and nothing more than " pre electioneering" for her party.
"Now that we have a Provo as a POW, why is the party who claim to back them not supporting him?"
Because they helped to put him behind bars. Despicable lot.
Michaelhenry,
ReplyDelete'Noticable by their absence you say-thats funny- i seen one walk out of court because he kept quiet'
You despicable little twit! It was all a set up to begin with. In other words, you are saying that 'Gerry should have toed the Brits and PSF line and he would have been free'?
McAnespie's alleged offenses were less severe than McGeoughs to begin with. But what you just inferred here is that the reason McAnespie got off was because he "kept quiet"? Kept quiet about what and for who? You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know Vince was going to get off and Gerry wasn't. I'm happy for McAnespie and his family and sad for Gerry's wife and children.
I told you this once before michaelhenry, and I mean it. You and your ilk are not a patch on McGeough's arse and never will be. Where were you doing the 'troubles'...hiding under your bed or in G Adams closet?
As for you and PSF - you are all frauds and a disgrace to true republicanism. You may have jailed McGeough, and you can sit back now with a smirk on your face, but you didn’t break his spirits or the spirits of those who support him. You only helped to take a husband and father away from his wife and 4 little children. Sadly enough, something tells me you can live with that.
Alfie,
ReplyDelete'This sets a dangerous precedent, for it has the potential to discourage dissident republicans from using peaceful means to achieve their objectives. I mean, if Gerry McGeough gets sent down for his opposition to PSF and the PSNI, then what is the point?'
Thank you for your kind words about McGeough.
It has crossed my mind numerous times that this is exactly what PSF wants. If those opposed to the GFA turn to armed struggle again, who wins? The British government and PSF. It will give the RUC/PSNI justification to incarcerate those they consider “dissidents” and, who knows, the British government may even send in more British troops to hunt them down and eliminate them. PSF uses the British government to do their dirty work for them by silencing their opposition and the British government uses PSF to continue to uphold British law and control in the north.
There is more to McGeough’s incarceration than meets the eye and it should be of serious concern to everyone.
Write to Gerry and express your SOLIDARITY with him...
ReplyDeleteMaghaberry Prison,
Ballinderry Upper
Lisburn, NI
Flood him with cards/letters.
Helen-
ReplyDeleteAfter spending over a decade opposed to Sinn Fein for taking their elected freedom seats at the
assembly you had to latch on-to a
person who would take one of the people's seats at stormont- it's
not me who is the hypocrite- look in the mirror- its you
but don't worry- you are not the only one who is gulity of this charge
John McGirr-
You said that you were going to hide your head in the sand and ignore me from now on [ i should be so lucky ] then your very next
sentence is to quote me again-
do the holy thing and forgive- you
are not without political sin.
Helen, John Mc Girr."now we have a provo as a pow" chairde the prm already have a couple of pows, ie., the lads that have been sent down for the attempted kidnapp of Bobby Tohill, and not to my knowledge a dickiebird about them!.any tears from Gildernew or the other cronies in psf will be only crocidile tears and merely for the optics.these people are responsible for creating the conditions where some /all ex comrades will go down if they speak out against the party,or the sell out they call the GFA, now I,m not well clued up on the bible(nor do I want to) but didnt it tell us that Jesus was betrayed on this day, shouldnt that hat been a warning to all! nothing good happened that day nor has anything good come from the GFA for republicans who still believe that this country should be reunited.
ReplyDeleteJim, glad to hear that you feel this whole issue is now finished chara. I also feel there's no need to reiterate our positions on such mistakes.
ReplyDeleteSuffice to say that, I honestly don't know what U mean by claiming that in our dealings with you, your family that they were of 'an ugly nature' or your choice of the word, 'murky'? However, we'll leave it at that okay?
As has been pointed-out many times during the past week chara....There was nothing murky, ugly or sinister in our correspondance with the McAllister Clann. Or in the overall fiasco over the cards. We were indeed mistaken and your property should've been delivered to yous by an RNU member - granted. Although, we wrongly believed it would've gotten to you sooner by a third party?
Finally on this matter, I hope at some stage that you can forgive our membership for the mistakes made and we wish your Clann the very best in the future.
Martin Og Meehan
got my voting card 2day
ReplyDeleteWTF you supposed to do with that?
have a dump in the cubicle i guess and wipe my arse with it. or trade it in for a two year ticket to perth and return for the 'gathering'.
serious alternatiive needed here. its depressing. get it together folks.
Martin Óg / Republican Network:
ReplyDeleteWhy are you ignoring my questions about how your statement completely contradicts the sequence of events set out in Carl Reilly's email?
LET IT BE HEARD LOUD & CLEAR; FOIF did NOT send Christmas money to the RNU. FOIF did NOT ask the RNU to distribute FOIF Christmas cards/money to POW Families. FOIF repeatedly & privately inquired about the cards once we learned of the PSNI raid. It is the RNU that went public by slandering FOIF all over the internet. Suzanne Breen & others contacted FOIF upon hearing rumours of missing money/cards. NOWHERE did FOIF use the term "steal" or "stole". But explain to us, Mr. Meehan, why K. Doran's card was missing $150. when it was handed over to a trusted Republican just recently. FOIF had no choice but go public & make clear the facts. The RNU continues a vicious, slanderous campaign against FOIF to this day. RNU Officers have repeatedly changed their story about "opened" envelopes. RNU Officer claimed on a forum that some FOIF cards were empty & some contained money but that FOIF was lying claiming all the cards contained money. THIS is another lie they have perpetrated. How would the RNU know this unless they opened ALL the cards? Mr. Meehan when & where did FOIF state that we did not like RNU? Mr. Meehan explain why RNU members/officers continually post nasty lies & attacks on the FOIF FB Wall? FOIF is not posting on others Walls. The attacks are all coming from YOU. FOIF has had a good relationship with the RNU until Carl Reilly issued 'ORDERS' to FOIF in autumn 2010. An RNU-USA member threatened us on Tuesday, 11th January 2011. IT IS THE RNU WHO SHOULD BE APOLOGIZING FOR ALL THEIR BAD BEHAVIOR, LIES, & THREATS! They should apologizes to the McAllisters, the POWs, the POW Families, Americans who donated Christmas money, & FOIF. The only group who seem to have a hidden agenda is RNU. To this day FOIF does NOT have confirmation from the POW Families as to whether or not they have ALL received their money!
ReplyDeletemichaelhenry,
ReplyDelete'You said that you were going to hide your head in the sand and ignore me from now on [ i should be so lucky ] then your very next
sentence is to quote me again-
do the holy thing and forgive- ...'
You are right, if I stop talking to everyone who annoys me I probably will end up not even talking to myself.
I do not usually post, but I feel the need to, in relation to these discussions.
ReplyDeleteI am a little shocked that people are so amazed at the potential for misappropriation of POW funds, as I am sure it has been going on for many a year. Since moving to the US, my husband and a will not donate money at any "pass the hat" events, as we have no idea where it is going to. In 2009 the A.O.H. as part of there Freedom for All Ireland Christmas appeal listed "Green Cross" as a recepiant of monies, to which I asked the questions what "Green Cross"?
I think if the FOIF are guilty of anything, it is of being a little naive. In this day in age I would have thought that it would have been easy enough to get the mailing addresses of each of the P.O.W.'s families and to have mailed the monies directly rather than having it delivered by a third party. But perhaps after this fiasco the lesson has been learned.
I do think that the RNU and Martin Og Meehan have a lot to answer for. While I believe that their apologies are sincere, they are the apologies of an organization that has been caught out. Regardless of whether or not the envelopes where sealed, Carl Reilly nor any other member of the RNU had the right to remove the money from these card and to then allocate the money as they saw fit. It was not your call!! And Mr. Meehan despite your liberal use of "Chara" in your responses to Mr. McAllistar, I doubt very much that he will ever be your friend!
I'm not a great one for posting on any Republican website 'though I do often click in to read what's happening. This whole saga re:prisoners' money is very distasteful and I'm not making any judgment on who is right and who is wrong. All I can say is the whole thing reflects badly on EVERYONE and probably explains why Republicans have never been so divided or factionalised as at the present time.
ReplyDelete1981: Gerry Adams uses Irish Republican POWs to advance his career.
ReplyDelete2011: Carl Reilly uses Irish Republican POWs to advance his career.
Sin é.
i believe that other people were pulling the strings behind FOIF press releases ,and that FOIF played into the hands of certain agencies to blacken and discredit RNU
ReplyDeleteFOIF are just trying to help brit agencies to smash RNU simple as that
ReplyDeleteAn unfortunate incident a tin hat please
ReplyDeleteAn unfortuante incident no tin hat needed
ReplyDelete