I don't think Irish Americans really have ever fully appreciated the violence that results from their funding the IRA. It is too far away, and the cause is totally glamorized, with lots of Irish flags flying and rebel songs playing on the bar jukebox. Being married since the early 1980's to someone from Northern Ireland, and living in San Francisco where they are entire Irish neighborhoods, I can tell you that Noraid is all wrapped up in romanticism. It seems as benign as the myriad sweet little girl Irish dancers marching as the next unit in the parade. But the truth is something else entirely.
Did you know that the IRA have now claimed they weren't even involved in the bar murder? Even though they offered to kill the people who were, and the cab driver who picked up a female Sinn Fein candidate who told the police she saw nothing has testified that she gave a long account of what happened to someone on a cell phone during the ride?
irishexaminer.12hs.com
IRA: Politicians and media 'criminalising Republicans'
The IRA today repeated its denial of responsibility for the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney.
In its traditional Easter message, the IRA hit out at politicians and the media which it claims jumped on the bandwagon to blacken its name.
"The IRA has spelled out its position in relation to the killing of Robert McCartney. It was wrong, it was murder, it was a crime. But it was not carried out by the IRA, nor was it carried out on behalf of the IRA.
"The IRA moved quickly to deal with those involved. We have tried to assist in whatever way we can. Unfortunately, it would appear that no matter what we do it will never be enough for some," it stated.
Mr McCartney, a 33-year-old father of two from the Short Strand area of east Belfast was stabbed to death in the street on January 30 after a bar-room row with republicans.
His family has waged a determined campaign to bring his killers to justice, forcing the IRA to suspend three of its members suspected of being involved in the murder.
However, amid claims that witnesses have been subjected to intimidation, no one has come forward to provide evidence of what happened in Magennis’s Bar that night.
In a statement earlier this month, the IRA caused political uproar when it revealed it had offered to shoot those responsible for the murder.
When Mr McCartney’s sisters and partner travelled to US last week to meet President George Bush and other leading US politicians, it was clear republicans had become increasingly isolated.
In today’s statement, the organisation accused the Irish and British governments of a concerted campaign to criminalise its struggle.
It is continuing to deny it was behind the £26.5m (€38m) raid on the Northern Bank headquarters in the centre of Belfast before Christmas.
"The sustained campaign directed against the republican people over recent months is nothing new," it stated.
"We will not allow our opponents to further their own petty self-interests by levelling false allegations against Oglaigh na hEireann."
Speaking in Washington last week, Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said there would be no political progress in the North until the issue of IRA criminality was dealt with once and for all.
But the IRA in its Easter statement said the primary responsibility for moving the situation forward now rests with the two governments.
"They must demonstrate their commitment to a lasting peace. Pandering to the demands of those who are opposed change is not the way forward." |
