     IRISH NEWS ROUND-UP
     Wednesday, 22 October, 1997


1.   Extradition move "an absolute disgrace"
2.   Angry end to Derry inquest follows violent scenes
3.   Trial highlights British human rights abuses
4.   Analysis:  National debate must continue beyond polling day

______________________________________________________

     ACTIVIST BULLETINS

______________________________________________________


5.   Rally for Roisin McAliskey in Birmingham, England
6.   Clan na Gael Annual Dance, Pittsburgh
7.   St. Louis INA To Protest Thatcher
8.   ACTION ALERT: H-Block 3 letter writing campaign

______________________________________________________


>>>> Extradition move "an absolute disgrace"


Another H-Block escaper, Anthony Kelly, was re-arrested early
this morning at his home in Donegal.  In Dublin's Special 
Criminal Court this afternoon, Mr Kelly was ordered held without
bail on foot of a British extradition warrant seeking his return 
to the H-Blocks of Long Kesh prison in Lisburn, County Antrim.

Irish Gardai police arrived at the house around 7am today and
arrested Kelly. Originally from Derry's Bogside, Kelly took part
in the famous mass break-out from the H-Blocks in 1983.  Outside 
court, an improptu protest against extradition was roughed up by 
Gardai, who pulled down banners and shoved protestors.

Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Doherty said Kelly's arrest -- which
he described as "an absolute disgrace and a scandal" -- would
have a detrimental impact on the peace process.

Mr Doherty said "Tony Kelly has been living openly in Donegal for
several years now. "This demand for his extradition by the
British government can only be seen as vindictive.

"Fourteen years have passed since the escape. The people who will
suffer most from Tony Kelly's arrest on extradition warrants are
his wife and two children."

Mr Doherty added: "The serving of extradition warrants on Tony
Kelly is an absolute disgrace and a scandal -- especially at this
stage in the peace process.

"Rather than involving itself in the extradition of Irish
citizens, the Dublin Government should be ensuring the release of
all political prisoners."

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is to have its first meeting on prison
issues with a Stormont minister tomorrow.

Sinn Fein executive member Dodie McGuinness will lead a
republican delegation due to hold discussions with British
officials.

The Sinn Fein delegation is also expected to include Pat McNamee,
the party's representative in Newry and Armagh, Siobhan O'Hanlon
and West Belfast Councillor Martin Livingstone, who was sentenced
to 25 years for several attempted murders in 1977.

Michael Browne, Sinn Fein prisons spokesman, said the party would
be pressing Mr Ingram on conditions and early release.

"We want at this stage an acknowledgement from the British
government that they would accept the release of prisoners is
necessary for the peace process to move forward.

"We will remind them that in other countries where conflict
resolution has enjoyed success, these are measures that have been
taken as a matter of course." Mr Browne said the Dublin
government's decision to release a number of prisoners some weeks
ago should be matched by the British government.

In the short-term, Mr Browne said Sinn Fein would be demanding
improvements to the mechanism for the transfer and repatriation
of republican prisoners in England. He said the party was
particularly concerned about five remand prisoners currently
being kept in Special Secure Units in Belmarsh.

The delegation is to request that conditions in the H-Blocks
should be applied to Maghaberry jail and that women prisoners
receive the same access to facilities as male inmates.

There are presently 24 republican prisoners in jails in England
and more than 300 in prisons in the Six Counties.


______________________________________________________


>>>> Angry end to Derry inquest follows violent scenes


An inquest into the killing of Strabane INLA (Irish National
Liberation Army) man Alex Patterson by British soldiers in
November 12, 1990 has ended today with no finding.    It is
believed to be the first time a judgement of "no finding" has
been returned in a shoot-to-kill inquest.

After two hours, the 11-strong jury of six men and five women was
unable to agree on a verdict. Bringing the inquest to an end, the
coroner infuriated the Patterson family by ordering the jury's
report to be withheld from them.

On Monday, batons were the order of the day as the RUC cleared
the public from Derry courthouse on the first day of the inquest.
The RUC struck out viciously with batons as screens were being
erected to hide the identity of a number of British soldiers due
to give evidence to the inquest.

On the second day of the inquest the commander of the undercover
unit, known as 'Soldier A', would admit that there was no warning
given and that no medical help was sent for after his unit opened
fire hitting Patterson. He also confirmed seeing large a exit
wound to the rear of Pattersons head afterwards.

The hidden nature of this inquest was further revealed after
Coroner Ronnie O'Doherty announced that he had granted British
Defence minister, Labour's George Robinson, a Public Interest
Immunity Certificate to hide the identities of those involved in
the killing. This has effectively gagged any serious
investigation into Patterson's death.

After the RUC attack a member of the IRSP party affiliated to the
INLA, Willie Gallagher, was handcuffed and led away to the courts
cells. Around 12 others were ordered out before proceedings
resumed under the scrutiny of observers from Amnesty
International and the Committee for the Administration of Justice
CAJ. They have responded to the Patterson families concerns that
the 31 year old father of four was the victim of a shoot-to-kill
operation by either the SAS or another British covert regiment.

In a statement from 'Soldier D' which was read by an RUC member,
'D' admitted opening fire on a car from a concealed position; the
front bedroom of a house in Victoria Bridge belonging to a member
of the locally-recruited British Army. He said another 10
soldiers were positioned around the bungalow. He said that after
an initial burst of gunfire came from a passing car he, along
with others opened fire. As the car crashed he heard another
soldier shout 'there's a runner'. However as 'D' approached the
vehicle he saw someone moving and again opened fire.

Pathologist Dr Jack Crane later told the inquest that Patterson,
whose body was found in the car, had died from a single
high-velocity bullet wound to the head, entering from the left
nostril and exiting behind the left ear.

This suggests a close quarters coup-de-grace type shot, favoured
by the SAS.

After Martin McCann, barrister for the Patterson family asked had
'soldier D' been aware of the inquest's time and location the RUC
member affirmed he was. Questioned further it emerged that
'soldier D' had only made a statement two years after the
shooting and after being assured that no criminal proceedings
would be brought against him. 

The Patterson family today made it clear they will pursue the case
until justice is served.


______________________________________________________


>>>> Trial highlights British human rights abuses


The whitewashing of the killing of IRA Volunteer Diarmuid
O'Neill, 27, by British police entered a new phase yesterday at
the trial of four Irish men accused of conspiring to cause
explosives. Prosecutor David Waters claimed that O'Neill, unarmed
and alone, was shot and killed by a special officer identified only as
'Kilo' because "Kilo feared for his life".

O'Neill's house in Hammersmith was raided by a Scotland Yard's
militarised police unit at 4.30am on September 23, 1996.  Tear
gas and stun grenades were fired into the house. Diarmuid O'Neill
was fatally wounded inside the house and was dragged bleeding
down the front steps onto the pathway. Witnesses say he was
dragged by his feet, his head striking each of the six concrete
steps leading down to the street. Witnesses also say that instead
of offering aid to the dying man, the British police attempted an
interrogation. He died later in hospital.

The prosecution alleged the squad had lost the element of
surprise after failing to break into the house with a card key.
They then fired CS gas into the room through a side window and
the hole in the door. Waters claimed that 'Kilo' was affected by
the gas and had to go outside for air before returning to the
house. He then stated that "All Kilo could see was a figure
kneeling towards him. He thought he was going to be shot, so he
fired. He thought he had missed and fired more shots." O'Neill
was unarmed and had been incapacitated by the combination of tear
gas and stun grenades. The prosecutor himself admitted this: "For
the benefit of hindsight, he need not have fired, as no firearms
were in the room." Waters concluded by saying "However sad the
loss of O'Neill's life is - and it is - whether Kilo panicked or
not, do not let it deflect you from the main issue in this case."
He neglected to discuss why a person would be afraid to be shot
when he apparently was able to leave and re-enter the house with
ease or to defend the sending in of panicky officers to arrest a
suspect.

The prosecutor claimed sadness over O'Neill's killing, telling
the jury, "No matter what O'Neill was planning to do to others,
it is still tragic that he died in such circumstances." His
comments were in stark contrast to the glee of John Major, who at
the time of the shooting expressed himself  "absolutely
delighted" by the police operation, and John Bruton, who offered
his "congratulations" to the British police.

The shooting raised the spectre of the British shoot-to-kill
policy. Initial media reports spoke of a gunbattle and showed
pictures of a haul of arms and explosives, neglecting to mention
that the weapons had been found far from the house in which
O'Neill was killed. Two days went by before police admitted that
the dead man had been unarmed and no arms had been found in the
house. At the time, Sinn Fein said that the British police were
operating a strategy of  "shoot first and make up the facts
later" while Fianna Fail Justice spokesperson John O'Donoghue
said he was "fearful that a shoot-to-kill policy may have been
operated. The story currently being told to the jury differs from
all other previous police accounts.

Fuascailt, the London-based campaign for Irish political
prisoners, is leading a call for an independent inquiry into
O'Neill's killing.


*  Meanwhile, the defense of the O'Neill killing is taking place as
the trial of Patrick Kelly, Brian McHugh, James Murphy, and
Michael Phillips, who have denied possessing explosives and
conspiring to cause explosions between January 1 and September
24, 1996.

They too have been victimized since the initial police operation,
with several being held for more than a year in the
internationally condemned Special Secure Units (SSUs) and denied
even the most basic of privileges since the limited closing the
units.

The prosecution has chosen the unusual tactic of using the
advanced education of the men against them, claiming that
Phillips, who is originally from Belfast, had previous experience
in engineering, including electronics training "which may have
been of assistance to the project you are investigating." The
comment is evocative of the arrest in the Six Counties last fall
of a number of computer-literate Irish women, one of whom was
Roisin McAliskey. Their trial continues today.


______________________________________________________


>>>> Analysis:  National debate must continue beyond polling day


By Gerry Adams

For every negative there is a positive and the negative
campaigning which has marred the presidential election contest
has sparked of a debate which is truly national and which I hope
will continue beyond polling day.

I also hope that this debate will be conducted in a more
reasoned, inclusive and informative way than we have seen so far.
I appeal to those political leaders who have taken up positions
of trenchent opposition to the views espoused by Sinn Fin to
play a constructive role in informing this debate.  For my part I
will seek to do the same.

The debate is about how we, the people of Ireland, see ourselves.

Is Ireland, no matter how positively it may be described, a
narrow, partitionist, factionalised and dysfunctional society
which has never come to terms with our own history or our own
potential to grow in an inclusive and equitable way ?

Or do we have an all-Ireland view which tries to embrace all the
people of this island as equals ?  Have we a vision of an island
with people at peace with ourselves and our neighbours,
developing our own society in a way which reflects our diversity
as a nation ?

Or does "official" Ireland stop at the border ?  Are we two
nations ? What is our relationship with Britain ?  What should it
be ?  What role has unionism in all this ?   What role do
unionists want ?

There are many other questions which need to be answered as part
of this debate.  They include core issues like how we see the
peace process and its objectives.  What is Irish nationalism ? Or
unionism ? What is our attitude to partition ?  To the Union ?
What is republicanism ?  What effect does the political dimension
of partition have on the social or economic well being of the
people of Ireland ?  What is our Irishness ?  What is Irish
culture ?  What is our vision for the future ?

There are other issues about the conduct of politics - north and
south - which need to be explored in a balanced way.  These go to
the very core of what politics should be about.  I believe that
politics should be about empowering people.  Do they?  Can they?

There have been many instances recently of the corruption and
selfishness which drives some political ambitions.  The leaking
of sensitive confidential government documents is just as
reprehensible.  So too is the way in which these documents were
seized upon to advance a narrow political agenda.  The national
interest was put to one side.

It is also a matter of some concern and an insight into the
mindsets of the politicians and commentators involved that my
observations on the election are misrepresented negatively by
them as being in some way more worthy of controversy than the
leaking of these documents.

It has also been said that my comments on the presidential
candidates were a strategic intervention in the election as part
of my plan to "colonise" the presidency.  This is patent
nonsense. My comments on the election were a reasonable response
to reasonable questions and not  part of any calculated
intervention.

As I have made clear Sinn Fin has not endorsed any candidate but
we do have the right to express opinions.  I and other Sinn Fin
spokespersons will continue to do so as part of our legitimate
agenda of promoting a better understanding of our political views
and of informing public debate on the issues of the day.

It is no accident that those who pursue a narrow partitionist
agenda seek also to exclude or to misrepresent all other views.
It is no accident that these are the people who criticised John
Hume and myself when we started the peace process.

They are the same people who condemned President Mary Robinson's
visit to West Belfast in June 1993.  Theirs is a neo-unionist and
pro-Union agenda.

In the past censorship and revisionism made their task a
relatively easy one.  Negative campaigning, misrepresentation,
disinformation and campaigns of McCarthyism are the easy option.
Now much more is demanded of them.  Are they up to the challenge?

Are they capable of being part of a real debate on the real
issues ?


______________________________________________________

     ACTIVIST BULLETINS

______________________________________________________


>>>> Rally for Roisin in Birmingham, England

Troops out movement, Birmingham,  is having a protest in
support of Roisin McAliskey at Hagley Rd, Thursday 23rd between
4-6pm.  All welcome!


______________________________________________________


>>>> Clan na Gael Annual Dance, Pittsburgh


On Saturday October 25, Clan Na Gael will hold its Annual
Dance at the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, Forward Avenue, Squirrel
Hill, at 8:00 P.M. Festivities will include dancing to the live
music of the "Kilroys" from Cleveland, Ohio. They feature
outstanding traditional and contemporary Irish as well as
American music. A display of Irish casual wear and music will be
on sale. A light buffet, beverages, and set-ups are included.
Tickets are only $1 5.00.  For ticket information contact:  Jack
Gavin 961-0335 or Mike Sullivan phone/fax 412 682-3546

Or just show up at the door and have a great time.


______________________________________________________


>>>> St. Louis INA To Protest Thatcher


Innocent people victimized by a state shoot-to-kill policy. A
juryless court system that allowed the testimony of paid
perjurers and imprisoned thousands. Filthy prison cells crawling
with maggots. Ten men, one of them a Member of Parliament, dead
as a result of policies designed to criminalize political
dissent. A legacy of violence and state terror.  This is the real
record of Margaret Thatcher, a record she would prefer Americans
not consider.

Since her 11-year tenure as British
Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher, who is reviled in Britain for
decimating social policies and presiding over a dramatic worsening of
the standard of living ofthe British poor, has been engaging in a
whitewash of her record; she is assuming that the world has forgotten
her role in one of the darkest periods in British rule in Northern
Ireland. 

Irish America has NOT forgotten, and given the new push for 
peace in Ireland, it is vital that the past is not forgotten. 
Thatcher could just as easily have taken the role now endorsed by
Prime Minister Blair--inclusive negotiations in which all parties are
equal. Instead, she chose to seek a military victory over Irish people
in the part of Ireland occupied by the British Army. Her lack of
vision condemned Britain and Ireland to more than a decade of violence
that could have been avoided. 

St. Louis INA will protest Mrs. Thatcher's two appearances in the St.
Louis region this weekend. We will gather in front of the Convention
Center downtown at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of Friday, October 24. On
Saturday, October 25, we will gather at Principia College in Elsah,
Illinois, to protest Thatcher's appearance on United Nations Day. It
is indeed ironic that on a day set aside to celebrate the unity of
democracies, a college has seen fit to honor a woman who oversaw the
military occupation of another country and stood by while one of the
members of her Parliament died to achieve human rights enshrined as
inalienable in the UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights. 

The reasons for these protests are two-fold: to educate people in the
St. Louis area about Mrs. Thatcher's real record and by doing so to
show our support for the current inclusive peace talks in Ireland.
Mrs. Thatcher's record is one of failure, divisiveness, and violence.
A just and lasting peace in Ireland will be the best revenge
peace-loving people could hope for.  Now is the time for peace. For
more information, please e-mail Jennifer Furey at
stlouisina@hotmail.com.    


______________________________________________________


 
>>>> H-Block 3 letter writing campaign



Irish America wants the Clinton Administration, Members of
Congress, Tony Blair, the Irish Consulate General and the Irish
Ambassador to know that we will not stand by and watch the
H-Block 3 become a 'sacrifical lamb' or a 'political football' to
pacify unionists.

Irish Republican political refugees Pol Brennan, Terry Kirby, and
Kevin Barry Artt remain in prison after their bail was revoked by
US District Court Judge Charles Legge on August 11. Although the
three men having demonstrated that they did not pose flight risks
during lengthy periods free on bail, the judge revoked their bail
upon sentencing, again separating them from families and friends.

Since their return to prison, the men have been separated from
each other, Kevin Artt being sent to Oakland County Jail. He is
allowed only one hour of daylight a WEEK, and can seldom receive
visits from his legal counsel or family. Pol has been in and out
of solitary confinement since his incarceration, and both Pol and
Terry have suffered severe racial discrimination and mistreatment
from the prison guards and officials where they are being held.

Recently, mail to the prisoners has been returned to senders
marked "unauthorized" although the prison administration failed
to even open the envelope. The envelopes contained internet
versions of local Belfast newspaers only.

Well-wishers are asked to number all parcels and indicate what is
inside the envelope to eliminate any excuse for returns. This
does not seem to satisfy authorities, but is suggested by the
prisoners themselves.

Please join Irish America and express your support by writing a
letter on behalf of Terry Kirby, Kevin Barry Artt and Pol
Brennan.

All three men face extradition to the north of Ireland at the
request of the British government.

The H-Block 3 should not be extradited to the very system that
has been condemned by the United States Congress and 5
international Human Rights organizations, and is currently under
investigation by the United Nations.

We want these extraditions stopped and bail restored.

Remember all three men were unjustly convicted and have suffered
human rights abuses in accordance with European and International
standards.

*All three men are POW's.

*All three men were convicted in a non-jury Diplock Court.

*Denied right to remain silent.

*Denied access to attorneys during interrogation.

*None are charged with any crimes in the United States.

*Kevin and Terry were housed together for one year+ and posed no
threat of escape.

*All three men voluntarily surrendered to authorities.


Please highlight the following dependent on who the letter is
going to:


*Restoration of bail so men can be with their families.(Clinton)

*British government drop its opposition to bail.(Blair letter)

*Suspension of extradition proceedings by US government.(Clinton)

*British government drop request for extraditions.(Blair)

*Official visit with all 3 prisoners together and Declan Kelly,
the Irish Consulate General in San Francisco.(Kelly and Irish
Ambassador)


------------------------

Sample letters:

------------------------

Dear Mr. Blair,

As an American supporter of peace with justice in Ireland, I'd
like to draw your attention to a most urgent matter.

Presently three men are facing extradition from the United States
at the request of your government. Irish Americans are keeping a
close watch on developments and a letter writing campaign has
been organized to express our objection to this situation. 
Extradition requests by your government is not perceived by the
American people as a sincere quest for peace.

In light of my government's recognition of the human rights
abuses and lack of a fair judiciary and policing system in the
north of Ireland, and the investigation this month by the United
Nations, I encourage you to immediately withdraw your
government's request for the extradition of these three men as a
positive step to enhance the peace process in Ireland.

I urge you to express to the appropriate authorities in
Washington DC, your sincere desire to see these men released on
bail immediately.


------------------------


Hon. Bill Clinton
President
The White House
Washington, D.C.


Dear Sir,


As a supporter of peace with justice in Ireland, I'd like to draw
your attention to a most urgent matter.

Three Irishmen being held in California jails while they await
appeals on extradition to England are suffering inhumane
treatment that reflects poorly on your administration's
commitment to do whatever it can to enhance the peace
negotiations in Ireland.

In September, Kevin Barry Artt was transferred to North County
Jail in Oakland, where his visiting privileges were cut in half
and went from open to closed visits. He is also now only
permitted one hour of outdoor exercise per week.

Pol Brennan and Terry Kirby remain in the Pleasanton Federal
Detention Center near Dublin, Ca., but have been separated. Mr.
Kirby has been the subject of alarming verbal abuse by prison
staff who have referred to him as "Irish scum" and a "terrorist."

I cannot remain silent while these men are abused by
representatives of the United States judicial system. This sort
of treatment on American soil fails to generate support for
peace.

Recent hearings held by the Subcommittee on Operations and Human
Rights have confirmed that our government has no justification
for extraditing anyone to a country that fails to provide a fair
and even-handed judiciary and policing system. The evidence is
such that the United Nations is investigating the numerous
charges of collusion, intimidation and corruption.

I encourage you to immediately suspend the extradition
proceedings against these three men as a positive step to enhance
the peace process in Ireland.

I urge you see these men released on bail so they may rejoin
their families in California.


------------------------

Addresses

------------------------


Hon. Tony Blair
Prime Minister
10 Downing St.
London
England
fax 011-44-171-925-0918
(email: TONT.BLAIR@poptel.org.uk)


Hon. Bill Clinton
President                                                                
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Ph# (202) 456-1111
Fax# (202) 456-2461
email: President@whitehouse.gov


Declan Kelly, Irish Consul General
San Francisco
(fax) 415-392-0885

Sean O'huiginn (cq) Irish Ambassador
Embassy of Republic of Ireland
2234 Massachussets Avenue NW
Washington, D.C., 20008
(fax) 202-232-5993

------------------------

Write to the prisoners:

------------------------

Kevin Barry Artt
UFN 852
North Couty Jail
1E11
556 6th Street
Oakland, CA  94607

Terry Kirby
885 33-011
Federal Detention Center
5675 8th Street
Camp Parks
Dublin, CA  94568

Pol Brennan
875 71-011
Federal Detention Center
5675 8th Street
Camp Parks
Dublin, CA  94568

____________________________



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