| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 992.1 | | DELNI::CULBERT | Free Michael Culbert | Wed Jan 22 1992 11:04 | 19 |
|
I think this is, situation normal.
Quoted from A/I pamphlet "name withheld" Case #3
"Brian Maguire was also shop steward, being a representative of the
Technical and Supervisory Section of the A.U.E.W. Whilst in custody he
died by hanging. A common interrogation technique at Castlereagh is to
perform a mock hanging, suspending a victim by a blanket knotted around
the throat until they pass out. Inevitably a death was bound to
result. At the time there was an outburst of anger by both the
nationalist community and by concerned trade unionists, representatives
of Maguire's trade union, and later on, the full I.C.T.U. conference
called for a public enquiry. There has, as yet, been no inquest into
his death."
This was written 2 1/2 years after his death.
Oh well like I said, situation normal.
|
| 992.2 | also normal | MACNAS::JMAGUIRE | T�g go bog � | Thu Jan 23 1992 03:59 | 6 |
| Amnesty International recently stated that the IRA will also come under
their scrutiny. Kneecapping, punishment beatings, abduction followed by
torture followed by a bullet in the back of the head and the body being
dumped on the side of the road -- these too are "situation normal."
Jimmy
|
| 992.3 | | WMOIS::CHAPLAIN_F | Tempus Omnia Vincit | Thu Jan 23 1992 06:54 | 6 |
|
And the UVF, Jimmy? Did Amnesty mention they'd be monitoring them as
well?
Frank
|
| 992.4 | I believe so... | MACNAS::JMAGUIRE | T�g go bog � | Thu Jan 23 1992 07:36 | 22 |
| RE: UVF
I'm not sure. As far as I can recall, Amnesty said that they would be
looking at the activites of other organizations in the North, not just
the British Army & the RUC. They would highlight the punishment
beatings and the kangaroo courts that are carried out by the
paramilitaries. The IRA happen to be the ones who do this most often.
The British Army and the RUC in the North have come in for a lot of
criticism for incidents such as the Caragher shootings. As the
upholders of justice, they must abide by the law and not be above the
law. Justice must be done and be seen to be done. Where they
transgress, they should be punished and procedures put in place to see
that this does not happen again.
The criticism they get for such incidents is right and proper. However,
to balance things out, it must be said that the IRA are certainly no
angels. They have abducted people, tortured them, forced them to
"confess" to "crimes", shot them and then dumped their bodies on the
side of the road. Then they (the IRA) scream about justice...
Jimmy
|
| 992.5 | | WMOIS::CHAPLAIN_F | Tempus Omnia Vincit | Thu Jan 23 1992 08:20 | 12 |
|
Yes Jimmy, but the paramilitaries are already illegal and their
activities justly condemned. The British Army and RUC are the legal
arm of government and as such must subject themselves to the same
law they seek to enforce.
It just strikes me as futile for Amnesty to monitor organizations
who answer only to themselves for their actions rather than a demo-
cratically elected government.
Frank
|
| 992.6 | The British Consul speaks | TALLIS::DARCY | | Tue Jan 28 1992 17:45 | 48 |
| A letter to the editor in the Boston Globe from the British
Consul General in Boston explaining the British view on the
Fergal Caraher case. The Consul also explains why Diplock
Courts are necessary.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Boston Globe - 1/24/92
Northern Ireland: Where terrorism threatens justice
In response to Frank Costello's Jan. 8 column, "Britain's abuses," I am
writing to clarify some misconceptions which may be left with the
readers.
In reference to the Fergal Caraher case, an investigation (overseen by
the Independent Commission for Police Complaints) has been carried out
and its results forwarded to the director of public persecutions. The
director has requested more information, after the receipt of which he
will recommend whethere the case should be prosecuted. In the past,
such cases led to prosecutions and convictions.
The greatest threat to the administration of justice and human rights
in Northern Ireland comes from terrorist groups. In citing figures, it
is important to note that since 1969 more than 3,000 people have been
killed, with thousands more injured, by outlawed sectarian groups. The
prevention of such senseless acts is the key role of the Royal Ulster
Constabulary in Northern Ireland. The British government condemns the
acts of outlawed Protestant groups as strongly as it does those of the
IRA and IPLO. It will not be provoked into being lowererd to their
level.
The British government's aim is to preserve a legitimate system of
justice. Under the Emergency Powers Act, jury trials take place for
all but terrorist crimes; the absence of juries for the latter was the
result of death threats and violent acts against members of juries. The
acts of terrorist groups, not the British government, have brought this
to pass.
The British government will continue to work with those who want to
build something positive in Northern Ireland, and it welcomes
opportunities to work with those of like mind on both sides of the
Atlantic.
JOHN OWEN
British Consul General
Boston
|
| 992.7 | Two to be charged | MACNAS::JMAGUIRE | T�g go bog � | Mon Feb 03 1992 06:53 | 2 |
| Two British soldiers are to be charged with the murder of Fergal
Caragher and the attempted murder of his brother.
|