03.08.1995

Republicans in the firing line

THE IRISH Republican Socialist Party has warned of growing alarm and anger among the nationalist community at the continuing evidence of loyalist rearmament and regroupment. Party spokesperson Una McKee said:

“Since the loyalist ceasefire we have detected a noticeable rise in concern within nationalist areas over a catalogue of incidents such as the uncovering of a gun manufacturing factory in Hollywood, the threats from a gang of armed men to a peace delegation in a Shankill Road Orange Hall and now the arrest of nine men (including Lindsey Robb from the Progressive Unionist Party) and the discovery of firearms in Scotland. All of these incidents are attributed to the UVF.”

Una McKee called on the PUP to come clean and declare just what the UVF is up to: “The perception among nationalists is that the loyalist paramiliaries are aiming to inflict a pre-emptive strike against the nationalist community using the peace process as a cover. What other conclusions can be drawn from their rearming and their repeated failure to engage in dialogue with republicans? This latest episode makes a mockery of all talk of decommissioning.”

IRSP statement on transfers

CONFIRMING the transfer from Whitemoor to jails in the Six Counties of republican socialist prisoners Liam Heffernan and Martin McMonagle and republican Feilim O’Hadhmaill, IRSP prisons spokesperson Gino Gallagher said:

“The IRSP view these transfers as a positive, if long overdue step. What the British need to do now is to maintain the momentum by following through with the remaining transfers.”

Comrade Gallagher praised the families and supporters of the men who now were seeing the fruit of their labours.

He urged them to redouble their efforts for those remaining behind and then onwards to an amnesty for all political prisoners.