Former deputy constable and former Special Branch officer Alan McQuillan claimed intelligence agents saved the lives of ‘literally thousands’.
This claim is not backed up from the investigations into many of the major atrocities during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Almost all inquiries to date point to the fact that Special Branch/MI5 either knew of an expected attack; allowed the attack to proceed; not informing the local police of an imminent attack; colluding with paramilitaries in the attack; covering up evidence and not carrying out a proper investigation after the attack, despite in some cases allowing the killers to continue killing. All in aid of protecting the state informers.
Of the worst atrocity during the Troubles – Omagh – Special Branch failed to pass details of the town centre bomb to local police. In the inquiry the RUC’s handler was told ‘the bomb will be allowed to go through to protect the informer’. Twenty nine were killed in the subsequent explosion.
Likewise, in the Shankill bomb, the IRA operative was a police informant who allegedly tipped off Special Branch. The bomb was allowed to go through, almost certainly to protect the informer.
Loughinisland, six killed – the inquiry ruled the ‘RUC did not carry out a proper investigation in order to protect the informer. Possible collusion between RUC and paramilitaries.
Keady, two killed – Glenanne gang, made up of LVF/UDR/police. Special branch knew identities of bombers, no-one questioned.
Kingsmill-10 murdered – survivor claimed an English accent among killers.
Does special branch/MI5 know it was the voice of state assassin Robert Nairac?
Claudy, nine killed – Fr James Chesney allowed transfer to Donegal despite him being known to Special Branch as director of Republican operations in south Derry.
The list goes on and on.
The state Force Reserch Unit and Loyalist Ulster Defence Association, the FRU/UDA colluded in directly killing an estimated 15 civilians. Stakeknife, a state informant positioned at the head of the IRA , killed an estimated 18 people.
What secrets do MI5 hold?
Interview notes from La Mon (12 killed) gone missing. Teebane (eight killed), bearded suspect at scene, witnessed by survivor of attack. Witness never asked to view photos. Kingsmill – palm print of assassin disclosed decades later.
Is there one atrocity during the Troubles that Special Branch/MI5 were not acting to protect their informers at the expense of civilian lives and causalities? Almost all the inquiries to date prove this to be the case. The war was allowed to continue. Why? When the British invest so much resources into both republican and loyalist parliamentary organisations, there can be only one winner – Britain.
HARRY HUTCHINSON
Labour Party NI, Moneymore, Co Derry
War crimes amnesty an attempt to rewrite past
Jeffrey Donaldson’s staggering call for a statute of limitation for crimes, including murder, by British army personnel in the north during the crudely named operation Banner is holy unconstitutional and an utter disgrace. Some suggest he can argue with Sinn Féin all he likes, however, on the face of it his approach displays a naïve and adolescent attitude. He moans that he wants to deal with facts – as long as they are on his terms. In his calling for an amnesty for war crimes he is attempting to rewrite the past and excuse criminal behaviour with impunity. Not only is this vulgar and uncouth it is unacceptable.
If one takes an object view the history of the British empire is strewn with documented facts, a lot of which Jeffrey and his pals would like to be excluded. There were murderous campaigns carried out by the British and their colonial forces not only in Ireland but throughout the lands they occupied.
No-one was charged or held accountable. The British admitted some of these ‘instances amounted to war crimes. However, they refused to accept liability’.
No matter how it is dressed up these facts indicate that Britain is guilty of mass murder on a large scale yet Jeffrey and his defence committee demand that because of the time scale these atrocities be overlooked.
It must be emphasised to Jeffrey Donaldson and his war lords there is no limitation on murder – the cold hand of justice awaits patiently.
KEVIN McCANN
Belfast BT1
Tougher sentences for abuse of elderly
At Action on Elder Abuse Northern Ireland we are once again disappointed to read about the leniency shown by the courts towards abusers of older people. This was seen in the case of Maureen Allen, who despite stealing £11,000 from the aunt she was supposed to be caring for was spared jail because she pleaded guilty highlighting the lack of appropriate sentencing and lack of deterrent to those who seek to steal from or defraud older people.
Yet again, the court has been too ready to accept even the flimsiest of mitigating circumstances and treat someone who has systematically stolen from one of the most vulnerable members of our society leniently. Indeed, Allen only needs to pay back £500 in compensation.
This is not justice for the victim in this case and at Action on Elder Abuse Northern Ireland we are campaigning for tougher sentences for those who abuse older people in this way. If criminals are to be deterred, punishments must start to fit the crime.
If you are an older person who is being abused, or you think an older loved one is at risk, our dedicated freephone helpline (080 8808 8141) can provide support and guidance.
VERONICA GRAY
Action on Elder Abuse Northern Ireland
Time is right for a united Ireland
ON May 1 we had dire warnings from Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell against pushing for a united Ireland and of course Enda Kenny and many of the other Irish politicians have been warning us in recent times that this is not the time for a united Ireland. It is obvious the southern state is terrified of a united Ireland, for them no time will ever be suitable for a united Ireland. Most of them have only ever paid lip service to Irish unity.
Let’s ignore their rhetoric and bend the steel while the iron is hot.
Approximately three quarters of a million Irish citizens have been quarantined against their will in a deliberately gerrymandered sectarian British colony for the past century and deprived of their nationhood. We don’t want to be treated as second-class Irish citizens.
We want our long-awaited freedom, now is the time.
LAURENCE O'NEILL
Martinstown, Co Antrim
Israel Zionists are the problem
Steven Jaffa (May 4) accuses people here of mud slinging against Israel and moans about the protests against the Zionazi crimes against humanity, against the Palestinian people and makes no apology for calling such words and actions ‘extremist and obsessive’. I would call the destruction of Palestinian homes; the burning of their Olive trees and farmland; the shooting at fishermen out fishing in the sea; the kidnapping of children; the daily murders of young men, women and children; the illegal settlements being built on stolen land; the attacks by illegal settlers extremist and illegal. Israeli Zionists contributed nothing but death and destruction, not peace in the Middle East.
They are the cause of all the trouble there as it’s all done with the backing of the American government who arm them with WMDs and give them billions of dollars to continue.
ANDY GIBSON
Crumlin, Co Antrim
