32 COUNTY GROUP KEEPING THE BOBYBAG IN IRISH POLITICS
32 County group keeping the bodybag in Irish politics' - Michael Gallagher
By ADRIAN MULLAN
Relatives of some of the 31 people murdered in the Omagh bombing confronted the 32 County Sovereignty Committee Chairman, Francis Mackey in London at the weekend.
Mr Mackey was attending a function at the Cock Tavern in Euston, which was allegedly raising funds for Kurdish and Turkish (PKK) prisoners as well as Irish prisoners.
The families of those murdered in Omagh by the Real lRA, which observers believe is closely linked to the 32 County body, found out about the Sovereignty Committees meeting via a website on which the event was advertised.
Relatives of the victims approached the bar personnel who initially denied that any such meeting was going on in an upstairs function room. However, after appeals by the family to stop the event, a member of staff went upstairs and returned with a spokesman for the fund raisers - Omagh Councillor Francis Mackey.
The protesters, carrying pictures of their slain loved ones asked Mr Mackey what he was doing there and asked him to condemn the Omagh bombing.
Instead, Mr Mackey offered to have a private meeting with Michael Gallagher to discuss his political analysis of the situation in Northern Ireland. Speaking afterwards, Mr. Gallagher said: "I have no interest in politics I just want to get justice." He said, The 32 County/ Real IRA is a single issue party keeping the bodybag in Irish politics."
He said that everyone was totally surprised to see an active member of Omagh District Council in a back street bar in Central London communing with other groups which are on the designated terrorist list.
After the encounter, the protesters held a two hour vigil outside of the pub.
This week the 32 County Sovereignty Movement issued a statement through Bernadette McKevitt defending the movement's right to freedom of political expression.
She said that freedom is a fundamental right in any society and added, "David Trimble's active encouragement of those who attempted to thwart that right was irresponsible and questionable."
She continued, "Using the Omagh tragedy as a political tool to undermine opposition to the faltering Stormont Deal is an abuse of the victims' suffering."
The statement reiterated the Committee's argument that there is an alternative to the Stormont Deal already submitted to the united nations and said, "We reject any attempt to portray that our movement has any other agenda."
Concluding, she said, "There is a responsibility on all of us to be open and honest in articulating the republican position and we will not be deflected from representing that analysis in our challenge to the illegal sovereign claim of a foreign parliament over part of our country."
Referring to Mr Mackey's presence at the meeting, the Chairman of Omagh District Council, Liam McQuaid commented, "It's his own business what he does in London. I don't think any of us are that happy with position but he is still a elected member of the Council until that changes I don't think anyone wouldn't deplore his activities and the connection between 32 County group and the Real IRA which killed people."
Cllr Paddy McGowan said it was a pity that Omagh wouldn't be left alone and "left to rest for a while." He said he would rather see Omagh being seen in a positive light rather than experiencing so much negative publicity.
"The people should be allowed to grieve in peace", he said.
Sinn Fein Councillor Barry McElduff declined to comment on the issue.
By ADRIAN MULLAN
Relatives of some of the 31 people murdered in the Omagh bombing confronted the 32 County Sovereignty Committee Chairman, Francis Mackey in London at the weekend.
Mr Mackey was attending a function at the Cock Tavern in Euston, which was allegedly raising funds for Kurdish and Turkish (PKK) prisoners as well as Irish prisoners.
The families of those murdered in Omagh by the Real lRA, which observers believe is closely linked to the 32 County body, found out about the Sovereignty Committees meeting via a website on which the event was advertised.
Relatives of the victims approached the bar personnel who initially denied that any such meeting was going on in an upstairs function room. However, after appeals by the family to stop the event, a member of staff went upstairs and returned with a spokesman for the fund raisers - Omagh Councillor Francis Mackey.
The protesters, carrying pictures of their slain loved ones asked Mr Mackey what he was doing there and asked him to condemn the Omagh bombing.
Instead, Mr Mackey offered to have a private meeting with Michael Gallagher to discuss his political analysis of the situation in Northern Ireland. Speaking afterwards, Mr. Gallagher said: "I have no interest in politics I just want to get justice." He said, The 32 County/ Real IRA is a single issue party keeping the bodybag in Irish politics."
He said that everyone was totally surprised to see an active member of Omagh District Council in a back street bar in Central London communing with other groups which are on the designated terrorist list.
After the encounter, the protesters held a two hour vigil outside of the pub.
This week the 32 County Sovereignty Movement issued a statement through Bernadette McKevitt defending the movement's right to freedom of political expression.
She said that freedom is a fundamental right in any society and added, "David Trimble's active encouragement of those who attempted to thwart that right was irresponsible and questionable."
She continued, "Using the Omagh tragedy as a political tool to undermine opposition to the faltering Stormont Deal is an abuse of the victims' suffering."
The statement reiterated the Committee's argument that there is an alternative to the Stormont Deal already submitted to the united nations and said, "We reject any attempt to portray that our movement has any other agenda."
Concluding, she said, "There is a responsibility on all of us to be open and honest in articulating the republican position and we will not be deflected from representing that analysis in our challenge to the illegal sovereign claim of a foreign parliament over part of our country."
Referring to Mr Mackey's presence at the meeting, the Chairman of Omagh District Council, Liam McQuaid commented, "It's his own business what he does in London. I don't think any of us are that happy with position but he is still a elected member of the Council until that changes I don't think anyone wouldn't deplore his activities and the connection between 32 County group and the Real IRA which killed people."
Cllr Paddy McGowan said it was a pity that Omagh wouldn't be left alone and "left to rest for a while." He said he would rather see Omagh being seen in a positive light rather than experiencing so much negative publicity.
"The people should be allowed to grieve in peace", he said.
Sinn Fein Councillor Barry McElduff declined to comment on the issue.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1522
Published Date: 30-Nov-00
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