<HTML><PRE>Subj:	 RMD971023 Irish news and activist bulletins for Thursday 23 October
Date:	97-10-26 20:29:01 EST
From:	rmlist-reply@irlnet.com (RM_Distribution)
To:	rmlist-reply@irlnet.com (Multiple recipients of RM_Distribution - Sent by)

     IRISH NEWS ROUND-UP
     Thursday, 23 October, 1997

1.   Extradition 'designed to undermine the peace process'
2.   Roisin's appeal blocked by court deadlock
3.   Contribution of trade unions to peace process welcomed
4.   British spies targeted Irish groups in US
5.   Analysis: Presidential campaign raises anti-nationalists

__________________________________________________________

     ACTIVIST BULLETINS
     
__________________________________________________________
     
6.   Events in England and Ireland

__________________________________________________________


>>>> Extradition 'designed to undermine the peace process'



Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has said that the arrest of Long
Kesh escapee Tony Kelly on extradition warrants is an attempt to
undermine the peace process.

Tony Kelly (36) originally, from County Derry was arrested in
Letterkenny, County Donegal in the early hours of Wednesday
morning 22 October and taken to the Special Court in Dublin. He
was remanded to appear again next Tuesday. As he was being driven
away Gardai attacked protestors, assaulting one man and
confiscating a banner.

The arrest of Kelly -- taken from his Letterkenny home where he
had been living openly with his wife and children -- has caused
widespread anger.

McGuinness said: "The arrest of Tony Kelly is designed to
undermine the peace process. Those responsible for issuing the
extradition warrant are the 'securocrats' in the British
government. These people were responsible for wrecking the peace
process the first time round. The British government have a
responsibility to ensure that they do not do so again. The
British government should immediately withdraw this extradition
warrant."

Caoimhghin O Caolain TD called on the Dublin government to halt
political extradition. "The government has recognised the key
importance of the issue of prisoners in the peace process. This
is totally inconsistent with the arrest in this jurisdiction on
British warrants of a former political prisoner in relation to an
escape from a jail in the Six Counties which took place 14 years
ago."

Kelly, who has been living openly in Donegal with his wife and
two children since his release from Portlaoise Prison in 1993,
was one of 38 republican prisoners who escaped from the notorious
H-Blocks of Long Kesh in 1983. He had been sentenced to Long Kesh
at the age of 17 to serve a sentence with no release date at the
'Secretary of State's Pleasure'.

In 1984 Kelly was arrested at Inver, County Donegal and charged
with possession of explosives. He was released from Portlaoise in
April 1993.

In a statement on Kelly's arrest Sinn Fein Vice President Pat
Doherty said: "The people who will suffer most are his wife and
two children. The serving of extradition warrants on Tony Kelly
is an absolute disgrace and 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.

"A precedent has already been set by the Supreme Court in
relation to these escapes. Why put this family through
unnecessary worry and strain? I appeal to all those who
campaigned against extradition to take up this case.''

The precedent to which Doherty refers are the cases of fellow
Long Kesh escapees Dermot Finucane and Jim Clarke. In March 1990,
the Supreme Court in Dublin ordered the release of Finucane and
Clarke, upholding their appeals against extradition to the Six
Counties and delivering a judgement highly embarrasing to the
British administration's judicial and prison system.

The Supreme Court decision went far in reasserting the right to
immunity from extradition for political prisoners. It overturned
the judgement in the case of Robert Russell which sought to
remove all constitutional protection from IRA members.

The most senior court in the 26 counties further ruled that, in
the face of evidence of brutality in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh
and the failure of the British authorities to take any action
against those reponsible for torturing republican prisoners, the
safety of Dermot Finucane and Jim Clarke could not be guaranteed
if they were extradited.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein has had talks with British 'Security' Minister Adam
Ingram, about prisoner issues including releases and transfers of
POWs in English jails.

Sinn Fein's Dodie McGuinness said the meeting had been "frank and
open". But she said nothing had emerged to suggest the government was
ready to begin prisoner releases as part of the
confidence-building measures in the peace process.

* Prisoner activists have called on people to support a picket of
the Green Street Special Court next Tuesday at 1.30pm when Tony
Kelly will make a court appearance.


__________________________________________________________


>>>> Roisin's appeal blocked by court deadlock


A London magistrate has turned down a request by lawyers acting
for Irish human rights victim Roisin McAliskey to move beyond a
legal impasse which has blocked any movement in an infamous
extradition case.  The ruling seems set to continue Roisin's
ordeal at the hands of the British justice system, begun in
November of last year.

Extradition proceedings against the daughter of prominent
Republican and former MP Bernadette McAliskey were again
adjourned today by the magistrate who repeated his insistence on
the ill young mother's presence in his court.

Magistrate Nicholas Evans refused to proceed with his order for
her extradition to Germany on charges of participating in an IRA
attack on a British Army base there.  The deadlock has blocked an
appeal to the High Court and a long-awaited opportunity by
Roisin's defence team to expose a frame-up hatched by the RU in
apparent co-operation with German authorities.

Roisin is currently recovering from post-traumatic stress
disorder in a London psychiatric hospital with new-born daughter
Loinnir.  Her family and medical experts have vehemently opposed
any return by Roisin to the Magistrates Court -- the site of the
hearings which have governed her nightmarish journey through the
worst excesses of the British judicial system, including six
torture-filled days at Castlereagh Interrogation centre and six
months in the notorious SSUs of Belmarsh and Holloway prisons in
London.

Evans, who has said he only requires to see Roisin for
identification purposes, refused an application by lawyer Gareth
Pierce to hold a brief hearing at the hospital where Roisin is
being treated.

While legal representatives for both Roisin and the German
authorities had encouraged him to make the extradition order in
her absence, he claimed he did not have that power.

In announcing that he was again to adjourn the case, Mr Evans
suggested: "Perhaps the only way to resolve the present impasse
is for a higher court to direct me on what to do next."

He adjourned the case until November 10 at 11am and said the
parties may wish to consider how they wished to proceed.

The magistrate pointed out that he would continue to adjourn the
hearing until either Roisin was fit to attend or there was an
order from a higher court "directing me to proceed in some other
way".

Human rights groups are continuing to monitor the case.


__________________________________________________________


>>>> Contribution of trade unions to peace process welcomed


A delegation from Sinn Fein met with the Irish Congress of Trade
Unions (ICTU) today  for a "useful and constructive exchange",
according to party Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin.

The Sinn Fein delegation included Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin,
General Secretary Lucilita Bhreatnach and Ard Chomhairle member
and Trade Union activist Ann Speed.  The ICTU delegation
consisted of Eddie Browne President, Inez Mc Cormack Vice
President, Peter Cassells General Secretary, Terry Carlin
Northern Ireland Committee, Frank Bunting Chairperson Northern
Ireland Committee and Brendan Macken member of Executive Council.

Speaking following the meeting Mr. McLaughlin said his party
welcomed the discussions, which he said were both useful and
constructive and centred on a number of issues including the
peace process and the economic challenges facing the country.

There was a comprehensive discussion on the peace process and the
delegation offered Sinn Fein's analysis of the current political
situation and progress at negotiations in Castle Buildings,
Stormont. There was a broad welcome for the decision by the ICTU
to contribute to the talks process through meetings with the
Taoiseach, British Prime Minister and Political Parties.

"We believe it is imperative that organisations such as  ICTU 
facilitate the involvement of their members and activists fully
in the search for peace," Mr McLaughlin said "We also welcomed
the inclusion of the peace process in ICTU's priorities for
1997/1998 and the re-constituting of  its North/South Working
Group. We have agreed to continue and develop these discussions
over the coming months."


__________________________________________________________


>>>> British spies targeted Irish groups in US


British secret agents were ordered to infiltrate Irish-American
groups at the end of the 19th century, according to previously
unpublished documents which show the British government was as
concerned then as 100 years later about transatlantic support for
the struggle for Irish freedom.

Increasing anxiety about American influence on and financial
backing for republicanism emerges from secret dispatches
contained in a file marked Irish Political Societies, 1876-1914,
released this week at the British Public Record Office.

The file, suppressed until now on grounds of "national security",
was the oldest closed file held by the British government. It was
released after the government was asked by an MP to identify
documents withheld beyond the normal 30-year rule.

Agents report that republican groups helped the Boers in South
Africa and were in contact with Russian diplomats and Indian
nationalists. The assumption, reported one agent in 1905, was
"that the native in India is as anxious to throw off the British
yoke as the malcontent Irishman professes to be . . . an Irish
revolt would be aided by a simultaneous Indian rising".

In November 1895, Maj Gosselin of the Special Branch had warned
the Home Office that "the leaders of secret societies both here
and in America have shown increased activity", adding that "the
whole of Ireland is completely organised".

The following month he reported that "the movements of Irish
American Extremists" were becoming so serious that the Marquess
of Salisbury, prime minister and foreign secretary, should
instruct British consuls in the US to pass intelligence reports
to secret agents in New York.

Britain's chief agent in the US, who signed himself "Z",
monitored meetings of the Clanna Gael, a fast-growing Irish
republican movement. It developed close links with the Irish
Republican Brotherhood, whose activities led to the setting up of
the Metropolitan Police Special Branch in 1883. It later provided
funds for the 1916 Easter Rising.

Some papers are missing from the file on the grounds that they
still need protection for national security reasons. The names of
Special Branch informants are blacked out. 


__________________________________________________________


>>>> Analysis: Presidential campaign raises anti-nationalists




Few people would have guessed at the start of this the most
bizarre of all the presidential elections ever held in the 26
Counties that the campaign would take such a serious turn and
become so inextricably linked with the politics of peace. It has
almost become a referendum on the peace process.

The controversy began when the Sunday Business Post of 12 October
published memos from the Department of Foreign Affairs which
recorded summaries of conversations between an official and Mary
McAleese earlier this year. The context was the aftermath of the
British Westminster election of 1 May, with McAleese allegedly
saying that she was pleased Sinn Fein had done so well. She is
also supposed to have indicated that she would not get involved
in the election in the absense of a nationalist Sinn Fein/SDLP
pact. The SDLP had turned down Sinn Fein's call for a
pre-election agreement.

There was little immediate controversy but on the following
Monday evening before the two candidates were due to appear on a
television talk show, Derek Nally issued a stinging attack on
McAleese who he said seemed to be "working on a different set of
moral assumptions" compared to "most Irish people". The attack
continued on the programme with Irish Times journalist and
reactionary member of parliament Geraldine Kennedy weighing in
behind Nally. "Did you ever vote for Sinn Fein?" demanded
Kennedy. McAleese said she had never done so and was always an
SDLP supporter.

Nally's handlers John Caden and Eoghan Harris -- both former Irish
television producers who are virulently anti-nationalist and
defended Section 31 censorship for years -- orchestrated the
attack behind the scenes. But they went too far even for Nally
and he ditched Caden in the middle of the week.

When Gerry Adams said on Thursday that personally, if he had a
vote, he would probably vote for McAleese the anti-nationalists
weighed in again, this time with Fine Gael leader John Bruton
leading the posse.

The real agenda behind the Mary McAleese controversy is an
anti-nationalist reaction led by enemies of the peace process.
The thread running through this whole controversy has three
strands -- anti-nationalist, partitionist and anti-peace process.
The same voices who were raised against the Hume-Adams-Reynolds
dialogue which began the peace process have been raised to attack
Mary McAleese for being a nationalist.

Fine Gael leader John Bruton is responsible for escalating the
controversy. Once again he has lent himself and his party to the
anti-nationalist crusade with echoes of McCarthyism.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was quite entitled to indicate
what his personal preference would be if he had a vote. To use
this as a stick to beat Mary McAleese is to return to the old
agenda of demonising and excluding Sinn Fein and all who have
contact with the party.

Sinn Fein has every right to have its say in this election and in
any election on this island. They are the only party
substantially organised on both sides of the border -- not a
Northern party as some labelled them this week.

Speaking in the irish parliament on 8 October, Sinn Fein member
for Cavan/Monaghan Caoimhghin O Caolain said that it is "time to
put behind us the failures of the past, the failure of partition
and particularly partitionist thinking" so often evidenced in
Leinster House.

The latest anti-nationalist crusade is a perfect example of this
partitionist thinking. It is glaring in the election material
issued by Fine Gael candidate Mary Banotti. It says:"The
presidency is about the nation behind the state. About all the
individual people who make up Irish society. It is the only
public office elected by the direct vote of all the people of
Ireland."

The clear import of this statement is that people in the Six
Counties are not Irish, that Ireland stops at the border and that
Irish society is confined to the 26 Counties.

Fine Gael is also guilty of hypocrisy with Mary Banotti claiming
the mantle of historical figure Michael Collins, her great uncle,
yet saying that Mary McAleese could not build bridges to
unionists because she is a nationalist.

Even more hypocritical is the posture of Fine Gael in deploring
the leaks and then using them to attack McAleese.

The Department of Foreign Affairs leaks clearly came from senior
political sources. The parties in office at the time were Fine
Gael, Labour and Democtratic Left. They have questions to answer.

Whoever was responsible they obviously did not care what damage
their action might do to the peace process and in particular to
the position of the Irish government in that process. Once again
the anti-nationalist agenda was at work.

This was not just about the presidential election. It was about
targetting nationalism and pushing a partitionist pro-unionist
agenda.

John Bruton endorses the partitionist agenda. That agenda must be
rejected if we are to build an inclusive Irish society based on
equality and justice.


__________________________________________________________

     ACTIVIST BULLETINS
     
__________________________________________________________


>>>> Events in England and Ireland


CANDLE-LIT SAOIRSE PROTEST: For the release of Sean Kinsella.
Assemble 8pm Friday 24 October, Cherry Park, CLONES, County
Monaghan. Followed by dance in the Creighton Hotel with late bar.

IRISH NIGHT: Friday 24 October, Village Inn, CAMLOCH, County
Armagh. Taille #2

CIVIL WAR EXHIBITION: To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the
Civil War. Open 8.15pm Monday 13 October, Assemble Hall, County
Hall, DUN LAOGHAIRE, Dublin. Opening times: 13 -18 Oct inclusive;
20-24 Oct; 28-30 Oct; 10am-1pm and 2.15pm-5pm every day.
organised by An cathaoirleach Dun Laoighaire/Rathdown County
Council, Councillor Donal Marren

MUSIC WORKSHOP: 5th Annual Larry Kelly Traditional Workshop. Held
Friday 24 October -- Monday 27 October, LANSBURAGH AND KENAGH,
County Longford. Special guests Noel Hill and Tony Lenane.
Further info on 043-21907 or fax 043-21469

COMMEMORATION: For recently-deceased Monaghan and Belfast
republican Greta Reel. Assemble 1pm Saturday 25 October,
Killeevan Cemetery, KILLEEVAN, County Monaghan. Oration by
Caoimhghin O Caolain TD

PLAY: Roger Casement -- a Celebration and play Casement.
co-incides with the publication of the Amazon Journal of Roger
Casement. Venues: St Enda's Pearse Museum, RATHFARNHAM, County
Dublin, 3pm Sunday 26 October. Adm #3; Marine Hotel, BALLYCASTLE,
County Antrim, 8pm Wednesday 29 October. Adm #3; Felons' Club,
BELFAST, County Antrim, 8pm Thursday 30 October. Adm #3; Bay
Hotel, CUSHENDUN, County Antrim, 8pm Sunday 2 November. Adm #3

FUNDRAISING FUNCTION: In aid of the Loughgall Truth and Justice
Campaign. 10.30pm til late Sunday 26 October, Scarna Inn,
EMYVALE, County Monaghan. Music and prominent speaker

PUBLIC SAOIRSE MEETING: 4pm Sunday 26 October, Hotel Clann Ri,
LETTERKENNY, County Donegal. Speaker: Martin Meehan. Organised by
Donegal Saoirse.

POW FUNCTION: 8.30pm Monday 27 October, Conway's pub, Parnell
Square, DUBLIN. All welcome

PICKET: Against the show trials of Herri Batasuna's leadership.
5.30-6.30pm Monday 27 October, Spanish Embassy, Belgravia Square,
LONDON, England

CONNOLLY ASSOCIATION MEETING: London branch meeting. 7.30-9.30pm
Wednesday 29 October, Calthorpe Arms, 252 Gray's Inn Road,
LONDON, England. Details on 0171-916-6172

FUASCAILT BENEFIT: 8.30pm Thursday 30 October, Victoria pub,
Holloway Road, LONDON, England

HALLOWEEN PARTY: Disco and fancy dress. Friday 31 October. Phone
Dublin Sinn Fein on 8724858/8724460

HALLOWEEN BARN DANCE: 9pm Saturday 1 November, McAleers Bar,
LOUGHMACRORY, County Tyrone. Live band, refreshments and late
bar. Clearly signposted from Omagh-Cookstown Road and
Loughmacrory village. Organised by the Milligan/Harte Sinn Fein
Cumann. Taille #3

SAOIRSE MARCH AND RALLY: Six-County mobilisation. Assemble 2pm
Saturday 1 November, Francis Street, NEWRY, County Down.
Prominent speakers.

SINN FEIN FUNCTION: 8pm Saturday 1 November, the Furry Bog pub,
Whitechurch, RATHFARNHAM, County Dublin. Ballads by Clann Ri.
Taille #2.50, including raffle for spot prizes. Organised by the
Martin Forsythe Sinn Fein Cumann

FUNDRAISER: For the Ahern/Crowley Memorial RFB. Saturday 1
November, Top of the Hill bar, CORK CITY, County Cork. Ballads by
the Hairy Bowsies. Taille #3

MONTHLY PICKET: For the transfer of all Irish POWs. 12-1.30pm
Sunday 2 November, Downing Street, LONDON, England.

FUASCAILT MEETING: 9pm Wednesday 5 November, Lewisham Irish
Centre, Davenport Road, LONDON, England. All welcome

WELCOME-HOME FUNCTION: For Paul McGarvey and Kevin Connolly.
Friday 7 November, BALLYBOFEY, County Donegal. Everyone welcome.
Music by Ceili Swing

FUNCTION: Featuring the Dublin City Ramblers and Eire Og. 9pm
Friday 7 November, Town Hall, NEWRY, County Down. Bar facilities.
Ticket #7. Organised by the John Mitchel Historical Society

PUBLIC MEETING: Transfer the POWs and benefit social. Saturday 8
November, Red Lion, 202 Walworth Road, LONDON, England. Taille
#2/3

VOLUNTEERS COMMEMORATION: Volunteers Jeremiah and Cornelius
Delaney (76th Ann) and Volunteer Sean O'Donoghue (75th Ann).
Assemble 2pm Blackpool Bridge, CORK CITY, County Cork and march
to monument on Dublin Hill. Speaker: Martin Ferris

VOLUNTEERS COMMEMORATION: 40th Edentubber Martyrs commemoration.
Assembles 2.30pm Sunday 9 November, RAVENSDALE HOUSE,
Newry/Dundalk Road, County Louth

FUASCAILT MEETING: 8pm Thursday 13 November, Camden Irish Centre,
52 Camden Sq, LONDON, England

SAOIRSE MOBILISATIONS: Conference 3-6pm Sunday 30 November,
Felons' Club, Falls Road, BELFAST, County Antrim. Prominent
guests; NEWRY: Saturday 1 November. OMAGH: Sunday 7 December.
ENNISKILLEN: Sunday 14 December. Details to follow

LEWISHAM IRISH FESTIVAL: Saturday 1 November to Sunday 16
November Lewisham, LONDON. You can pick up your free programme
from Lewisham Irish Community Centre, 2a Davenport Road, Catford,
London, SE6

CONFERENCE: Annual Connolly Association conference. 11am-5pm
Saturday 15 November, Britannia Street Conference and Meeting
Centre, Off Gray's Inn Road, LONDON, England. Function to follow
at the Calthorpe Arms, Gray's Inn Road. 8pm til late. Music by
Tom Lynch. Tickets available from Four Provinces Bookshop, #5/3

PUBLIC MEETING: Against the renewal of the Prevention of
Terrorism Act. 7-9pm Thursday 27 November, Islington Library,
LONDON, England. Benefit function on same night in Victoria pub,
Holloway Road. Music by Banna Strand. Taille #3/2




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Subject: RMD971023 Irish news and activist bulletins for Thursday 23 October

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