POLICE are investigating after an image was posted online showing a masked man apparently firing shots in tribute to a Socialist Republican in west Belfast.
“The final salute to comrade Harry O’Hara” – IRSP.
Photographs posted on Facebook by the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) – the politicial wing of the Irish National Liberation Party (INLA) – show masked men posing on a street with a picture of Harry O’Hara. Mr O’Hara, from Norglen Drive in the Turf Lodge area, died on February 28th and was buried in the City Cemetery earlier this month following Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity Church. Among death notices expressing sympathy at Mr O’Hara’s passing was one from “Connor Hughes, Cogús Republican Prisoners” in Maghaberry Jail.
West Belfast – INLA
The IRSP’s Belfast branch posted photos on Facebook of a “final salute to comrade Harry O’Hara”. It said “Harry was a loyal republican socialist and he will always be remembered with honour and pride by the Republican Socialist Movement” (RSM). The images show masked men dressed in paramilitay-style uniform posing beside candles and a photo of Mr O’Hara (copy of picture above). In one, a member of the group raises a gun above his head in a firing motion.
The images have been condemned by SDLP councillor Tim Attwood, who represents the area on Belfast City Council. “These are scenes which belong in the past. There is no excuse for masked gunmen on the streets of our city, no matter what the context,” he said. “This was a reckless act and should be roundly condemned.” A RUC/PSNI spokeswoman said: “Police are aware of footage on social media showing shots apparently being fired by a masked man in west Belfast. An investigation is under way.”
With many thanks to: John Monaghan, The Irish News, for the origional story.
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A former Director of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has been accused of “misleading” Stormont’s Justice Committee and “prostituting himself to the media” in an industrial tribunal.
The claims about Paul Cawkwell emerged during an industrial tribunal brought by the former Deputy Governor of Maghaberry Prison, Gary Alcock, against the Department of Justice.
Mr Alcock is alleging that he was treated unfairly because he was also the Chairman of the Prison Governors’ Association (PGA), subjected to “threatening” behaviour by Mr Cawkwell, and subsequently removed from his Maghaberry post.
On the first day of the case, it emerged that Mr Alcock had secretly recorded a meeting between himself and Mr Cawkwell on December 11, during which he claims he was threatened by Mr Alcock because of his trade union role.
On the second day of the hearing yesterday, Mr Alcock said the meeting he had secretly recorded had been “one of the most shocking I have had in my service.”
Mr Alcock referred to testimony which Mr Cawkwell gave to the Justice Committee on November 18, 2014, regarding the closure of a security grille at Maghaberry jail, which he claimed had been referred to on the secret recording but was not heard in court.
Mr Alcock claimed: “The Director of Operations admitted they were seeking to mislead the Justice Committee in relation to Roe 4 (a landing in a wing of Maghaberry). Which also houses IRA prisoners. He is admitting in the transcript to prostituting himself to the media.”
Regarding the decision to close a security grille on a landing in Maghaberry, Mr Alcock said that this decision was referred to the then-Director General of the Prison Service, Sue McAllister.
He denied a suggestion by counsel for the Department of Justice that it had been his decision and not Mrs McAllister’s.
“It was a decision far above me given the political and perhaps the community implications,” he said.
Mr Alcock alleges that an “unambiguous” threat was made to him by Mr Cawkwell in this meeting.
He said: “I refer to the transcript: ‘If you can’t separate Maghaberry business from your PGA role you cannot stay at Maghaberry.’ That to me is a very clear threat: either be quiet on Maghaberry issues or you’re moving on.”
When counsel for the DOJ put it to Mr Alcock that there was “tension” between the two roles, Mr Alcock replied that he didn’t believe there should be “friction, threats or tension between the two.”
Mr Alcock then claimed that he was “banished from the Prison Service” and moved to an office in Belfast City Centre “to ensure I was silenced and excluded from those who it was my right as a trade union representative to represent”.
Mr Alcock claimed that trade union members’ access to him as an official was “significantly restricted and intentionally so”.
A DOJ representative put it to Mr Alcock that secretly taping the meeting was a “breach of trust” and that he was “holding the recording as a threat”, which he denied.
Mr Alcock said it was a “protective measure by a senior trade union official who is being bullied, who had been threatened.”
Counsel for the DOJ then referred to a Criminal Justice Inspectorate report on Maghaberry, describing it as “damning.”
He said that the entire senior management team at Maghaberry, bar one person, had been removed because of the CJI report rather than because of union membership.
Mr Alcock contended that other members of the management team had been moved within the Prison Service, while he was “removed from the Prison Service”.
He said he had turned down alternative roles offered to him by the DOJ because he felt it was an attempt to have him “voluntarily remove myself from the Prison Service and my role in the PGA”.
Under cross-examination, Counsel for Mr Alcock asked Mr Cawkwell about the evidence he had given to Stormont’s Justice Committee regarding the locking of the security grille at Maghaberry.
Mr Cawkwell said he had been “absolutely torn” when giving evidence about the closure of the grille, as the drive within the Prison Service to “normalise the relationships in dissident republican sections” meant getting the grilles unlocked.
He stated: “If I had said anything to the Justice Committee about this it would have been selling out the Deputy Governor at that time.
“I knew Maghaberry was brittle, the staff were brittle.”
Mr Cawkwell said his testimony was also based on keeping “the balance between the perceived power of the prisoners” and that of the staff.
He said he had been “very surprised” at the decision to close the grille, but that “I understood why once it was taken so I supported it”.
Counsel for Mr Alcock suggested Mr Cawkwell had given “false testimony” to the Justice Committee, but he denied this.
“The decision had been made and if I was looking at the after effects we had got away with it but it was not a risk I would have taken,” he replied.
“The opinion I gave to the Justice Committee was after the decision had been taken and I was able to evaluate the reaction in person regarding the staff and prison and it seems we got away with it.
“There are no right or wrong decisions in prison.
“Was it a decision I would have taken? No.”
Counsel for Mr Alcock said Mr Cawkwell was “prepared to say whatever is expedient and give false testimony,” which he denied.
The tribunal continues.
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‘What are they protesting against? Are they protesting against equility issues? We are not marching through any controversial areas – Paul Little.
A LOYALIST protest group linked to a major riot in Belfast city centre demonstration during a parade to highlight a shortage of social housing in nationalist areas. Greater Concerned Residents’ Group Belfast plans to bring 500 loyalist onto the streets of the city centre during a parade organised by the North Belfast Civil Rights Association (NBCRA) on Saturday, February 1. A second loyalist group, Concerned Residents’ Group Belfast (CRGB), has also notified the Parades Commission of its intention to hold a protest, also involving up to 500 people. Greater Concerned Residents’ Group Belfast (GCRGB), was one of the six groups – including the Orange Order – that applied to hold protests during an Anti-Internment League parade through Belfast city centre last August. The nationalist parade was eventually rerouted after hundreads of loyalists who had gathered at the group’s protest site on Royal Avenue blocex the road and attacked police. They also broke the Parades Commission ruling by bringing more people onto the streets than the stated amounts. Fifty-six police officers were injured during the unprovoked violent clashes at the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street. Stunned tourists attending theWorld Police and Fire Games looked on as rampaging loyalists hurled missiles at police.
The previously unheard of group also held a protest during a republican parade in North Belfast days later. The NBCRA says it is made up of a collection of community represtatives accross North Belfast. The parade, which will involove up to five bands and 500 people, has been organised to raise concerns about the development of the former Girdwood British army barracks on the Antrim Road to highlight calls for a leisure centre to be built on the site of the recently closed PSNI station on North Queen Street. Protesters are also concerned about plans by the University of Ulster to build a multi-story car park on a site origionally earmarked for social housing at nearby Frederick Street. A short rally will also be held outside the University of Ulster building at York Street. Spokesman for the NBCRA Paul little said the march is being organised to highlight social issues. “What are they protesting against?” he said. “Are they protesting against equality issues? “We are not marching through any controversial areas. “What is their position on housing discrimination and what’s their answer to it?” The Civil Rights parade is scheduled to take place the same day as a loyalist protest march linked to the ongoing dispute at Twaddell Avenue. Up to 15 bands and 550 people have applied to take part in the march organised by South Belfast Young Conquerors Flute Band through Belfast during a peak shopping period. Business leaders and politicans have urged those behind the parade to call it off. Another loyalist parade through Belfast city centre due to take place this Saturday. North Belfast assembly member Alban Maginness called for calm ahead of the planned protests. “I would ask everybody to be responsible and understand that the situation in Belfast is extremely difficult and the demonstration of whatever nature adds to the tension and adds to the potential for public disorder. “It puts further stress on the police and will further damage business.” The South Belfast Young Conquerors Flute Band had a numer of its members convicted over playing the Sash outside St Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Queen Street and are very well known for their controversial links with the UVF and Anti-Catholisiam.
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THREE of the North’s most senior dissident republicans have been taken off the streets after a second Belfast city centre attack. With a manhunt under way on both sides of the border for a firebomber injured by his own device, the three dissident chiefs were charged on Tuesday with an array of serious offences.
Colin Duffy, Alec McCrory and Harry Fitzsimmons all have a history of republican activism dating back to the Provisional IRA. Dissident republicans have been particularly active in the run-up to Christmas with shots fired at police in North and West Belfast, a bomb left in an entertainment area of the city on one of the busiest nights of the year and an attempt on Monday to firebomb a city centre shop. The trio, in their forties and fifties, were arrested on Sunday, 48 hours after a bomb exploded in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter while it was packed with Christmas parties. Duffy is accused of IRA membership and plotting to murder security-force members. McCrory and Fitzimmons are charged with attempting to murder police officers travelling on Crumlin Road in North Belfast on December 5. All three are also charged with conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives with intent to endanger life and belonging to a proscribed organisation. McCrory and Fitzisimmons face further charges of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm. The alleged offences cover a period between January 1 and December 16 this year.
Amid heavy security at Belfast Magistrates Court, supporters of the three accused packed the public gallery on Tuesday. At one stage the defendents declined to stand up as some of the charges were put to them. A detective said he could connect them to the charges and no applications for bail were made during the short hearing. The trio waved at friends who clapped as they were remanded in custody to appear again by videolink in four weeks’ time. Meanwhile, two arrests were made outside the court complex as tensions heightened briefly. There were minor scuffles amid a heavy police presence at the Oxford Street exit as supporters of Duffy, McCrory and Fitzimmions left the building. North Belfast men Daniel Lundy and Aidan Fergusion, both from Ardoyne, were arrested and taken to Musgrave Police Station and charged with assaulting police, disorderly behaviour and resisting police. They were released on bail to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on January 13.
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Latest CCTV footage of suspected dissident bomber released by PSNI/RUC HQ
A senior PSNI officer said detectives hunting the dissident republicans behind the Belfast city centre bombing had captured an image of a male following an extensive trawl through CCTV footage from the scene. However, despite originally saying the image would be made public, hours later a police spokesman said they were not ready to release it. There was speculation on Monday night that the image is not of the individual suspected of leaving the device on the footpath, but someone else potentially involved in the dissident operation. It is understood legal issues – one being the apparent young age of the male photographed – could prevent its release. Assistant chief constableWill Kerr, who made the announcement that an image of the suspect had been identified, said the male could also have been caught on other camera. He said that “active community information” was important to finding those responsible and urged the public to review any photographs or videos taken on Friday evening as they may have unwittingly taken a picture of those involved.”If they are in any doubt contact us and let detectives screen through the footage, let us have a look at it and see if it can help the investigations – it is very important that they do.”
The 60kg device was left outside Salt Bistro at St Anne’s Square and exploded less than an hour after the alarm had been raised. The bomb warning was rreceived by The Irish Newsfrom someone claiming to represent dissident republican group Oghlaigh na hEireann (ONH). Mr Kerr on Monday joined PSNI cheif constable Matt Baggott and Belfast lord mayor Martin O’Muilleoir on a walkabout in Belfast city centre, visiting the scene of Friday’s blast and touring the Continental Market at city hall. Speaking to the media at city hall, Mr Baggott said those responsible for the bomb were “clearly intent”, but added that they would not succeed in dragging Belfast and the North of Ireland back to the past. “These groups are simply reckless, their actions are despicable,” he said. “To bring a bomb into a city centre in the lead up to Christmas is beyond belief really, that is why we do need (public help) – any single piece of information could make a difference to us. “We are determined to bring these people to justice.” He added that police were doing everything they could to keep the city safe, but could not provide a total guarantee that there would not be another attack. There has been speculation that a group of senior police who were on a nighr out in Cathedral Quarter may have been the intended targets of the bomb. However, Mr Kerr on Monday night said “at this stage” there was “nothing to suggest” that was the case. He described the bomb as a “functional device that could have killed” and said while tests were still being carried out, initial examinations suggested it had exploded entirely.
With many thanks to: Suzanne McGonagle, The Irish News.
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THE rebel IRA were trying to murder cops with a fireball bomb carried into Belfast city centre on Friday night. The sports bag bomb, packed with inflammable material according to police on Saturday, was abandoned short of its target, according to our sources.
Oglaigh na Heireann – ONH
Sources in Belfast’sArdoyne, where the incendiary device originated, say the bomb, which partially exploded, was meant to mimic the IRA fire bomb attack on the La Mon House Hotel in February 1978 which murdered 12 people. The Sunday World learned on Saturday that a posse of top police officers – up to a dozen strong, were out for their Christmas ‘do’ just 100 metres from where the lethal firebomb in a Slazenger sports bag was left.
Revellers
One source said: “They got an emergency call just minutes before a squad of police rushed in to evacuate the whole of the St Anne’s Square pub/restaurant area in the heart of Cathedral Quarter, packed with pre-Christmas party revellers. “They immediately left the premises. But they were the targets. The dissident bombers knew who they were, and where they were.” In fact, the explosive sports bag was abandoned just 100 metres from where the police officers were sitting down for a meal and a drink. On Saturday, the PSNI staged a hastily convened press conference where it was stated that the bomb which partially exploded could have killed anyone nearby. Dissident republican group, Oglaigh na hEireann, later said they were responsible. Police said the explosion at Exchange Street West at about a quarter to seven on Friday night could have caused multiple deaths. The bomb went off as the area was being cleared. No-one was injured in the attack. Police said the bomb was fully functional and consisted of explosives and flammable liquid. It was in a sports bag and was left on a street about 150 metres away from the spot identified in a warning call made to a newspaper office. That was also just round the corner from where the off-duty police officers were having their Christmas party.
Even when they evacuated the restaurant they were in, they would have walked straight into the abandoned bomb. About 1,000 people were affected by the alert in Cathedral Quarter, which is one of the main entertainment venues in Belfast. On Saturday First Minister Peter Robinson said this was an “attack on democracy”. “We are witnessing the work of a mindless minority who are intent on taking the heart out of the city and wreaking havoc on the lives and businesses of the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland,” he said. Deputy First Minister (J116) Martin McGuinness (The Fisherman) said the bombers showed “a complete disregard for life”. “Their actions have done nothing to move our society forward but, instead, have caused distress to local residents, disruption to Christmas revellers and loss of revenue for surrounding businesses,” he said. At Saturday’s Press conference at the PSNI’s Brooklyn HQ in Belfast, Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway said: “This device was fully functional. It could have injured or killed members of the public and it has similarities to previous devices used by dissident republicans. “I would like to make a direct appeal to people who were in the area on Friday night and ask them did they see a male wearing a black hoidie carrying a black Slazenger bag in and around 6pm. “If they saw this person or anybody acting suspiciously I would appeal to them to come forward to detectives. “We are working very hard to keep Belfast safe and we will continue to do that but we need the community to be vigilant. We want them to go about their normal businness and support the premises in the town but be vigilant and if they see anything suspicious in the town don’t hesitate to lift the phone and tell us.” On Saturday and Saturday night it was ‘business as usual’ in Cathedral Quarter.
Support
Dermot and Catherine Regan, owners of the Potted Hen restaurant close to the scene of the eexplosion said they were grateful for public support. “Thankfully no one was injured and there was no physical damage to the area. We are back to normal service from lunchtime on Sunday and will be contacting everyone who had booked for last night and whose evening entertainment was ruined,” they said. And Storming Shame Fein Sports and Culture Minister Caral Ni Chilin certainly voted with her feet. She visited the Cathedral Quarter in an unofficial capacity on Saturday evening, had a drink in a bar there, and when asked if she was giving a vote of confidence to the area after the Friday night bomb fright, said: “That’s why I’m here.”
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‘If I am prosecuted I intend to defend any charge against me – John Lanigan.
One of the organisers of a mass loyalist protest through Belfast City Centre has accused the Parades Commission and the PSNI/RUC of attempting to “influence” the prosecution service to bring a case against him. Ex-British armed forces soldier, John Lanigan was identified as the organiser of the December 2 Loyal Peoples Protest parade where an application was made for 10,000 supporters and 40 bands, to march along Royal Avenue on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Loyal Peoples ProtestJohn Lanigprosecutan, ointendrganiser of the Peoples Protest Parade, Ex-member of the British Armed Forces and clear supporter of the illegal terrorist organization, The Red Hand Defender’s (clearly shown on his Facebook page) as shown….
In the end just over 1,000 people attended the march. Two police officers were injured in scuffles in North Belfast as protesters were trying to force an illegel march past the Ardoyne shops on their return journey home from the city centre parade. Protesters also flouted a commission determination by remaining at the city hall for over an hour after the area should have been cleared while there were other further breaches of the ruling. Despite repeated calls for the parade’s applicant to be named and identified, the Parades Commission and the police had refused to reveal who had signed the parade application. Lanigan’s identity was subsequently revealed by The Irish News. However, on Monday he hit out claiming that elements of the media, the PSNI/RUC and Parades Commission were putting out “incorrect and misleading” information about him, although he did not say what this was. He further claimed his computer has been “hecked” and accused police and the Parades Commission of making statements that were a “transparent attempt to influence and put pressure on the PPS to prosecute” him.
In a statement released through his solicitor Mr Lanigan, who is orginally from Belfast but lives in Antrim, said he would make complaints to both the Police Ombudsman and the Press Complaints Commission about his alleged treatment. Mr Lanigan also said his picture has appeared on republican websites and claimed he had received threats. “As a result of this parade I have been vilified in the local media,” he said. “I cooperated with police at all times. I was very anxious that there would be no trouble at the parade and thankfully, the parade passed off peacefully”. He added: “If I am prosecuted I intend to defend any charge against me. I have since had my photograph published, both in newspapers and social media websites, as well as republican websites. “I have received threats against me and I consider these threats to be against both my life and my family’s lives. “I beleive that my personal computer was has been hecked into, as well as my private page on social media. “I have instructed my solicitor to issue complaints to both the police ombudsman and the Press Complaints Commission and take any other action to defend both my privacy and incorrect reports about me, as well as hoping to ensure there is no further unwelome instruction (sic) into my private life”.
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‘My problem was never with the traders. We never set out to target trade – Jamie Bryson.
TWO controversial loyalist parade planned to take place in Belfast and Bangor in the run-up to Christmas have been postponed until the New Year.
Sandy RowOrange Lodge announced last night that it had taken a decision to postpone a parade through Belfast city centre this Saturday. In a statement, it said the decision was taken “after listening to city centre traders and the local community; and in light of the heightened level of security due to Republican terrorism”. It said it beleived a further parade “at this time through the city centre would not be in the interests of our fellow citizens and therefore as an act of goodwill in this Christmas season we have decided to postpone the parade until early in the New Year”. “The Parades Commission again sought to criminalise Unionists by their determinaton; however, we will not fall into their trap. When we next notify to parade the current Commission will thankfully be gone,” it said. “The support for our Ligoniel brethren remains resolute and indeed we would continue to encourage our members and friends to support the ongoing protest and parades at Camp Twaddell and the Woodvale Road.”
Meanwhile, a loyalist parade planned for Bangor on December 21 has also been postponed until the new year after traders met with organisers. Last month prominent flag prostester Jamie Bryson, revealed plans to bring 2,500 people and 14 bands through the seaside town on the last Saturday before Christmas and one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Oganised by the North Down Ards branch of the Ulster People’s Forum (UPF), the parade was intended to highlight complaints against the PSNI by loyalists and protest at the decision by Belfast City Council to restrict the flying of the Union Flag at City Hall a year ago. The Bangor parade was called off after talks beween local traders and organisers last week during which local business people voiced their fears that trade would be hit “during such a sensitive and fragile trading period”. President of Bangor Chamber of Commerce, Ken Sharp, said had the parade gone ahead the impact would have been “immeasurable”. “The chamber beleives in engaging with as many parts of the wider Bangor community as possible to work togeather for the improvement of Bangor through investment, trade and jobs.” Flag protester Jamie Bryson said the disputed parade will take place early in the new year. “My problem was never with the traders. We never set out to target trade,” he said.
With many thanks to: Connla Young and Marie Louise McCrory, The Irish News.
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This is the man who organised a loyalist protest parade through central Belfast on one of the busiest shopping days before Christmas.
pictured: John ‘Dougie‘ Lanigan.Photographs openly displayed on Lanigan’s networking sitePhotographs openly displayed on his social networking siteJohn ‘Dougie’ Lanigan sporting a pair of glassses
Politicians from all sides called for the march to be banned or moved to another day. They and business leaders said the organisers’ identities should be made public so that they could be challenged. Police and the Parades Commission refused to publish the names for “data protection” reasons. Yesterday The Irish Newsrevealed that the organiser whose identity has been concealed for weeks was John ‘Dougie’ Lanigan, pictued above. He is orginally from Belfast but is believed to live with his wife in Antrim. Two police officers were injured after the parade and the protest breached a commission ruling by failing to leave the city centre by 12.30pm. The march, which marked almost a year since councillors voted to restrict flying the Union Flag from the city hall, was organised under the name of Loyal Peaceful Protesters. The parade application estimated that up to 10,000 loyalists and 40 bands would join the demonstration but in the end just over 1,000 people and two bands materialised at the city hall on Saturday. The Sashwas also played as the parade passed the nationalist Carrick Hill area of North Belfast. Friends took to social networking sites to congratulate Mr Lanigan for the protest, descibing him as “a true loyalist”. It is understood he was asked to hand himself in to police on Monday over a breach of a commission ruling. When asked by The Irish News on Monday night about his role, he said: “We have nothing to say to any of the papers.” Police said officers interviewed a “49-year-old man in connection with a breach of a Parades Commission determination on Saturay November 30 2013 in Belfast city centre“. The man voluntarily attended a Belfast police station on Monday afternoon. He was later released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. In September, the same loyalist organisation held another unlawful parade through the city centre towards the Shankill area. More than 3,000 protesters joined the Saturday afternoon demonstration, which breached a Parades Commission determination by setting off from city hall an hour later than planned. Politicians including Shame Fein’s Gerry Kelly, Alban Maginness of the SDLP and Glyn Roberts of the Nothern Ireland Independant Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) had previously called for the organisers of Saturday’s parade to be named. Mr Maginness said there needed to be more accountabilty from those organising parades. “If there is not a duty on those who have made the application to disclose their identity there ought to be in the interests of scrutiny,” the North Belfast MLA said ahead of Saturday’s protest. “It’s reasonable for those who are organising to identify themselves or be identified.
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Mob boss ‘Meerkat’ arrested as UVF and the Protestant Coalition fuel hate attacks on cops.
WHIMPERING UVF boss Colin ‘Meerkat’ Fulton is hauled away as loyalist mob rule strangles Belfast city centre. The UVF High command was on parade on Friday night as the city centre was ripped apart – cars hijacked, bars attacked, people hospitalised – proof that the paramilitary organisation orchestrated and controlled seven hours of sickening street riots.
The Sunday Worldcan reveal that high ranking UVF figures including Shan kill chiefs Joe ‘No Neck’ McGaw, and ‘Harmless’ Harry Stockman were among hundreads of loyalists coralled on Belfast’sRoyal Avenue.
GRATINGS
From the Protestant Coalition Facebook page and the Parades Commission granted the bigots permission to protest….
Fulton’s UVF boss Eddie ‘Onions’ Rainey was also there. The paramilitary ledership watched as paving stones were ripped up and gratings used as missiles to hurl at police. Rampant loyalist mobs smashed windows at the Hudson Bar on Gresham Street stealing beer kegs which were also used as weapons. Customers in the Sunflower Lounge on Union Street had a lucky escape as a baying mob tried to smash windows. The police fired 26 plastic bullets and made seven arrests as the over-stretched force tried to contain the trouble. One unsuspecting German tourist was hauled from his car on North Street and his hire car set on fire; two American police officers who had been taking part in the World Police and Fire Games looked bewildered as violence erupted. Other Games athletes were barricaded into a city centre bar, unable to gain access to a youth hostel on Kent Street just off Royal Avenue. PSNI/RUC Chief Constable Matt Baggott ( who was fishing at the time), described the violence as “mindless anarchy” and “thugery”. He praised his officers, saying they had put their lives on the line to protect the rule of law. “I want to commend my colleagues for their immense courage last night. I have no doubt whatsoever that they prevented that anarchy from spreading and without that courage, many lives may well have been lost,” Mr Baggot said. Loyalist ‘Paster From Hell’ Clifford Peoples was also on the ground taking pictures of police officers and journalists as trouble erupted.
BOMBS
The roly poly paramilatery apologist has spent 10 years behind bars for a string of terrorist convictions and even boasted that he “blessed” bombs and guns used in loyalist terrorist atrocities. But it is Fulton’s arrest that caused the most comment. The South Belfast terror boss was seen mouthing off at riot cops as police tried to force the crowd down Royal Avenue. But once he was snatched from behind loyalist lines, Fulton was a different man. As our exclusive pictures show Fulton didn’t put up any struggle as he was led away. Gone was the bravado as he pleaded with officers to “go easy.” “No need to push,” he bleated, “I’m not resisting arrest, there’s no problem.” The UVF/Protestant Coalition orchestrated the riots in response to an anti-Internment parade which left Belfast city centre like a war zone. The republican parade which was due to pass through Royal Avenue was re-rourted and was subsequently held up and attacked by loyalist bigots at the bottom of the Shankill. Then police pushed the bigots back up the Shankill to allow the anti-Internment parade to pass through. There was over 5,000 republican activists took part in the march, and showed dignity and restrint at the provokacation by loyalist rioters.
SHAMEFUL
Dozens of police officers were injured 56 in total during the protests. 26 plastic baton rounds were fired by police, two water cannons and dogs were deployed during the disorder. Only seven people were arrested and detained on suspicion of offences including riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour and hijacking and are expected to appear in court later today. Secretary of State Theresa Villers described the violence and attacks on police as “shameful”. She said what had happened was a “hugely regrettable step backwards” after the North of Ireland‘s recent successes at hosting the G8 summit and World Police and Fire Games. The Sunday World now understands that the Orange Order is becoming increasingly concerned at the amount of control exercised by the paramilitaries. Meetings are now planned to discuss a ‘new way’ of securing the future of loyalist parades. The Parades Commission which had given permission for six loyalist protests ( even though they were not passing any loyalist areas) against the republican parade will now reveiw their decision as police struggled to maintain order. A further concern is that police resources are being stretched to the limit. One officer speaking to the Sunday World said he had two days off since the start of December.
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