DUNDALK TURNS ON OUTCAST ACTIVISTS
Dundalk turns on outcast activists
SHOPPERS ground to a standstill outside Bernadette Sands-McKevitt's former premises in Dundalk for a minute's silence yesterday.
Ms Sands-McKevitt had been escorted from her T-shirt business in the town's Long Walk shopping centre on Friday, after the landlord changed the locks. The figurehead of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee was still in hiding last night with her common-law husband, Michael McKevitt. The couple fled their Co Dublin home after issuing statements on radio and through a priest, flatly denying any involvement in the Omagh bombing. Ms Sands-McKevitt told RTE's Liveline: "I have already done it... condemned the bombing.
"You see, this is what I'm saying... Why is it that our word is not being taken, I can't understand it?
"What is it that we have to do, what is it we have to say? Why is this not being accepted?"
McKevitt told also local priest Fr Desmond Campbell he had "no hand, act or part in this thing".
A veteran republican, the 48-year-old was shot in both legs by members of the Official IRA during a republican feud in 1975.
Abandoned
Ms Sands-McKevitt's Print Junction T-shirt and photocopying business was yesterday boarded-up and abandoned.
Neighbouring traders had threatened to shut up shop if the couple weren't evicted. The landlord is understood to have changed the locks in order to avoid a possible breach of the peace. Founder of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, Ms Sands-McKevitt, 39, is the sister of IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands. The dissident group is opposed to Gerry Adams' and Sinn Fein's involvement in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The McKevitts haven't been seen at their plush Blackrock home since Tuesday. There were unconfirmed reports that the couple had asked Libyan leader, Colonel Gadaffi for asylum. They fled saying they were concerned for the safety of their children.
The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has admitted having contacts with Libya in the past and seeking the support of Middle Eastern countries friendly to their cause.
SHOPPERS ground to a standstill outside Bernadette Sands-McKevitt's former premises in Dundalk for a minute's silence yesterday.
Ms Sands-McKevitt had been escorted from her T-shirt business in the town's Long Walk shopping centre on Friday, after the landlord changed the locks. The figurehead of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee was still in hiding last night with her common-law husband, Michael McKevitt. The couple fled their Co Dublin home after issuing statements on radio and through a priest, flatly denying any involvement in the Omagh bombing. Ms Sands-McKevitt told RTE's Liveline: "I have already done it... condemned the bombing.
"You see, this is what I'm saying... Why is it that our word is not being taken, I can't understand it?
"What is it that we have to do, what is it we have to say? Why is this not being accepted?"
McKevitt told also local priest Fr Desmond Campbell he had "no hand, act or part in this thing".
A veteran republican, the 48-year-old was shot in both legs by members of the Official IRA during a republican feud in 1975.
Abandoned
Ms Sands-McKevitt's Print Junction T-shirt and photocopying business was yesterday boarded-up and abandoned.
Neighbouring traders had threatened to shut up shop if the couple weren't evicted. The landlord is understood to have changed the locks in order to avoid a possible breach of the peace. Founder of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, Ms Sands-McKevitt, 39, is the sister of IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands. The dissident group is opposed to Gerry Adams' and Sinn Fein's involvement in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The McKevitts haven't been seen at their plush Blackrock home since Tuesday. There were unconfirmed reports that the couple had asked Libyan leader, Colonel Gadaffi for asylum. They fled saying they were concerned for the safety of their children.
The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has admitted having contacts with Libya in the past and seeking the support of Middle Eastern countries friendly to their cause.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/041
Published Date: 23-Aug-98
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