PREVIOUSLY unseen documents linked to an arrest operation aimed at prominent Irish-American Martin Galvin will be discussed when a new report on plastic bullets is launched today.
The transatlantic launch of the Plastic Justice report by Relatives for Justice will be co-hosted online by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America.
During the Troubles 17 people were killed by plastic bullets fired by British soldiers and RUC members.
One of the most high-profile cases involved Sean Downes, who was struck during a republican anti-internment rally in west Belfast in August 1984.
The killing, which was captured by TV cameras, caused anger in the nationalist community as Mr Downes (22) was unarmed when he was shot by an RUC officer in the chest at close range.
RUC officers had moved in to stop former Noraid publicity director Martin Galvin, who was banned from entering the north, from making an appearance.
British government records relating to the killing and operation to stop Mr Galvin entering the north have recently been found.
One hand-written document reveals that in the days afterwards an official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office contacted the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to suggest that TV footage of Mr Downes running at police with a stick in his hand be released.
An NIO official advised against the move for several reasons including that it would “inevitably increase the belief that a 'shoot to kill' policy was in operation”.
Other documents reveal that before Mr Galvin travelled to Ireland, British government officials discussed his possible exclusion from the north and whether that would be legal.
Peadar Thompson from Relatives for Justice said the report "addresses the enduring legacy of death and serious injury" of plastic bullets and calls for accountability.
“They should be immediately banned.”
Meanwhile, Mr Downes's widow Brenda is to take legal action after the Attorney General declined to open an inquest into his death.
The application came after concerns were raised about the role of republican informer Denis Donaldson, who chaired the west Belfast rally at which he was killed.
Ciaran Cunningham, of Brentnall Legal, said it also "relies on the failures of the RUC to properly implement adequate planning and preparation of the arrest operation".
