Sinn Fein/IRA members found with list of TDs

Sand

According to an article in the Irish Time today, Niall Bennet and Kenneth Donohoe, both Dublin members of Sinn Fein have been convicted of IRA membership by the Special Crinimal Court. Theyll be sentenced on November 30th.

Theres two point of interest - one is the trial set a precedent by being the first where the Judges examined secret Special Branch files on the two to see if the Gardai had a solid basis for believing they were IRA men. They agreed they did.

The second point of interest is the fact that these men were arrested after the Gardai found men in a van in Corke Abbey with a sledgehammer, two pick axe handles, 8 bags of ties, radios, a black balaclava, rubber gloves and a yellow flurorescent Garda jacket. In another car with false number plates they found a stun gun, CS gas and a roll of black tape - your typical run of the mill vigilante/punishment squad by the sound of things. Even more interestingly a list of TDs, including 3 former justice ministers was found at Niall Bennets home.

Now why the IRA, let alone upstanding members of the respectable Sinn Fein party, would be targetting politicians in the Republic is certainly a question that should be put to Mr Adams. The second question might be, if SF expels councillors for corruption as they trumpeted a few months back, how will they deal with members who bring the party into disrepute by engaging in membership of illegal organistions and general skullgduggery? Will they be expelled? Theyd need to be careful not to set a precedent, if they were to expel every member of terrorist organisation from their ranks they might end a membership of 6 or 7.

ionapaul

As you know Sand (you've heard it on this forum before I know!), this proves nothing about the democratic and upstanding intentions of the Sinn Fein party. Those two were merely low-level members, loosely affiliated in fact, and certainly do not reflect the peace-loving socialists that the public have learned to trust and respect (Mary Lou, anyone?) - sure, did they even have beards? If not, they were not true Sinn Fein members! The way Sinn Fein is constantly attacked by *certain* members on this board, it just turns the stomach. Let's not get into the tired politics of accusations and blame, Sand...

Cork

ionapaul wrote:

Let's not get into the tired politics of accusations and blame, Sand...

I 100% agree. I hope that the IRA will stop all activities.

I wish both governments well in their attempts in getting the assembly up and running. Bertie + Tony have the patience of ST. Jude.

What was it that Clinton said about drunks in a pub?

Elmo

The second point of interest is the fact that these men were arrested after the Gardai found men in a van in Corke Abbey with a sledgehammer, two pick axe handles, 8 bags of ties, radios, a black balaclava, rubber gloves and a yellow flurorescent Garda jacket

What where they doing with ties? Where they going around to every TD on the list robbing their ties?
They robbed the flurorescent Garda Jacket from Micheal McDowell.

Two Pick axe handles what happend the axe?

mike65

ionapaul wrote:

As you know Sand (you've heard it on this forum before I know!), this proves nothing about the democratic and upstanding intentions of the Sinn Fein party. Those two were merely low-level members, loosely affiliated in fact, and certainly do not reflect the peace-loving socialists that the public have learned to trust and respect (Mary Lou, anyone?) - sure, did they even have beards? If not, they were not true Sinn Fein members! The way Sinn Fein is constantly attacked by *certain* members on this board, it just turns the stomach. Let's not get into the tired politics of accusations and blame, Sand...

Mike.

Meh

Sand wrote:

The second point of interest is the fact that these men were arrested after the Gardai found men in a van in Corke Abbey with a sledgehammer, two pick axe handles, 8 bags of ties, radios, a black balaclava, rubber gloves and a yellow flurorescent Garda jacket.

This proves nothing. Clearly, these men were on a humanitarian mission of some sort, building an orphanage or possibly a home for sick puppies. And as for the TDs names, well obviously they were going to send them Christmas presents.

Cork

Sand wrote:

Now why the IRA, let alone upstanding members of the respectable Sinn Fein party, would be targetting politicians in the Republic is certainly a question that should be put to Mr Adams. The second question might be, if SF expels councillors for corruption as they trumpeted a few months back, how will they deal with members who bring the party into disrepute by engaging in membership of illegal organistions and general skullgduggery? Will they be expelled? Theyd need to be careful not to set a precedent, if they were to expel every member of terrorist organisation from their ranks they might end a membership of 6 or 7.

SF were pretty quick in preading a bug (not of the legged variety) in front of worlds media.

I hope that they will act with similar swiftness in relation to the above.

Expelling every member of terrorist organisation from their ranks may indeed dent membership but I would far far rather see such people 100% committed to democratic politics.

Not 35% or 88% however.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

mike65

Here's another source while the Tribune also leads with it.

Sinn Fein in new IRA spy row
Activists target southern politicians

By Jim Cusack
21 November 2004

GARDA uncovered details of an IRA spy ring, when they raided the home of a Dublin Sinn Fein activist convicted of Provisional IRA membership, last week.

Niall Bennett - believed by Gardai to be the IRA's head of intelligence in the city - had details of the movements and habits of senior government and opposition politicians.

Among the figures being spied on was former Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue.

Bennett (35), from Faughart Road, Crumlin also had minutes of a Sinn Fein branch meeting, and is a key election worker for party's TD, Aengus O Snodaigh.

There was no comment from Sinn Fein, last week, on Bennett's conviction at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, along with Kenneth "Cakey" O Donohoe, of Tallaght.

Both were convicted of IRA membership after the court heard gardai were led to their houses, after an attempt to hijack a container lorry outside Bray, Co Wicklow, on October 10, 2002.

One of the cars used in the attempted robbery belonged to Donohoe, who gardai believed is a top IRA member in Dublin.

After they raided his house, he was watched as he held a late-night meeting with Bennett.

When detectives raided Bennett's house, they found a list containing the names of politicians, Dublin criminals and members of the INLA, living in Dublin.

The IRA was spying on politicians apparently with the intention of digging dirt, gardai said.

They followed politicians from Leinster House and made notes of where they drank and who they met.

As well as the former Justice minister, the list included former Sports and Tourism Minister, Jim McDaid, from Donegal, who was undergoing marital difficulties at the time.

The list of criminals found in the house was also believed to have been drawn up so the IRA could target figures, who refused to pay protection money, gardai believe.

The IRA is believed to have shot dead at least five Dublin criminals, since 2002.

Bennett and Donohoe are due for sentencing on November 30.

The Court heard that both men were closely associated with a plot to hijack a container lorry outside Bray, on October 10, 2002.

Five men were arrested in Bray, two of them dressed as gardai, and a third with a Garda fluorescent jacket.

They also had an illegal stun gun, which can paralyse people with a massive static electric shock, a can of CS gas, a flashing blue light of the same kind used on Garda cars, balaclavas and cudgels.

Gardai also found a baseball hat with the legend "Long Kesh" on it.

It is believed the men were about to hijack a container of cigarettes, on its way to Dublin from Rosslare ferry port.

A few days later Gardai raided Bennett's Crumlin home.

They found a briefcase with a number of documents, including detailed notes with names, addresses and movements of politicians, criminals and members of the rival republican terror group, the INLA.

The documents showed that the IRA was spying on the Justice Minister, Mr O'Donoghue, while he was enjoying a pint in a Rathgar pub.

Committed to democracy all the way...

Mike.

Sand

The sad thing is nothing will really happen - SF will just tough it out, their newfound support in the south didnt care that they were one half of the IRA last election, they wont care the next.

And with talks in the north dangerously poised, Bertie wont do anything about it for fear the IRA return to what they know best.

Victor

Even more interestingly a list of TDs, including 3 former justice ministers was found at Niall Bennets home.

Erm, public information. http://oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?m=m&CatID=&fn=%2Fdocuments%2Fmembers%2Fdisplay%2Easp%3FUserLang%3DEN%26ConstType%3D1%26mypage%3D1

Niall Bennett - believed by Gardai to be the IRA's head of intelligence in the city - had details of the movements and habits of senior government and opposition politicians.

Oddly only "Zero" gets mentioned.

The IRA was spying on politicians apparently with the intention of digging dirt, gardai said.

Among the figures being spied on was former Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue.

Are they suggesting "Zero" has something to hide?

The documents showed that the IRA was spying on the Justice Minister, Mr O'Donoghue, while he was enjoying a pint in a Rathgar pub.

This would appear to be the only specific allegation about following someone, it "smells" awfully blue.

Bennett (35), from Faughart Road, Crumlin also had minutes of a Sinn Fein branch meeting

:eek:

When detectives raided Bennett's house, they found a list containing the names of politicians, Dublin criminals and members of the INLA, living in Dublin.

Check the daily papers to be honest.

They followed politicians from Leinster House and made notes of where they drank and who they met.

Is the limit of dirt that can be found "X drinks with Y"? Maybe if I was a spy I'd follow people to other places and not just pubs.

The IRA is believed to have shot dead at least five Dublin criminals, since 2002.

Odd they don't mention names.

Gardai also found a baseball hat with the legend "Long Kesh" on it.

Isn't the universal term "baseball cap" - is this a sly attempt to make it look like "baseball bat"?

ionapaul

Sand wrote:

The sad thing is nothing will really happen - SF will just tough it out, their newfound support in the south didnt care that they were one half of the IRA last election, they wont care the next.

And with talks in the north dangerously poised, Bertie wont do anything about it for fear the IRA return to what they know best.

In a poll in today's Sunday Indo (a paper I admire for continuing to get the digs into the IRA / Shinners no matter what policy of appeasement the rest of the suits follow) showed the amazing (to me at least) level of support Sinn Fein draws on among voters aged 18-24. I imagine these young 'uns are the same ones out on the street demanding an end to the war in Iraq and calling the Allies 'terrorists'.
Life is so funny sometimes, right on the line between tragedy and farce...

Elmo

I imagine these young 'uns are the same ones out on the street demanding an end to the war in Iraq and calling the Allies 'terrorists'.
Life is so funny sometimes, right on the line between tragedy and farce....

Yes indeed another FF, FG and Labour sound bite on SF (all of whom come from that party, Did P DeRossa go to jail?)

But then there is a slight difference I would assume with the British Army, the RUC, the UDA, the UDF, the political unionist establishment of the North and Sinn Fein and the IRA. Oh! wait they are all murderous scum bags except one side has the support of the British Empire.

I personnally will vote SF next time round, I will also vote Green and Labour (Perhaps not in that order) only because I want the PD's out, please god labour don't let FG get in.

7mountpleasant

Sinn Fien/IRA goddam rebels without a clue

Victor

Elmo wrote:

Did P DeRossa go to jail?

Wasn't he interned, not convicted?

Mighty_Mouse

In a poll in today's Sunday Indo (a paper I admire for continuing to get the digs into the IRA / Shinners no matter what policy of appeasement the rest of the suits follow)

Yes it right up there with boards.ie!!!

Seriously though, does it not bother you that a leading broadsheet openly has set agendas on certain issues?e.g. Facts manipulated/invented etc ....

ionapaul

Mighty_Mouse wrote:

Yes it right up there with boards.ie!!!

Seriously though, does it not bother you that a leading broadsheet openly has set agendas on certain issues?e.g. Facts manipulated/invented etc ....

Ha, I read it for the articles, I swear...:)

I don't believe any broadsheet / tabloid / whatever can honestly claim they don't have an agenda of sorts. We find it easier to ignore this agenda when it matches our own!

luckat

Who's Zero, and why is s/he called that?

Joking aside, this is pretty nasty stuff. I don't like anything that looks like vigilante groups, don't care if they're green or blue.

Rock Climber

Victor wrote:

Erm, public information. http://oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?m=m&CatID=&fn=%2Fdocuments%2Fmembers%2Fdisplay%2Easp%3FUserLang%3DEN%26ConstType%3D1%26mypage%3D1

This would appear to be the only specific allegation about following someone, it "smells" awfully blue.

You forgot this bit...

The Court heard that both men were closely associated with a plot to hijack a container lorry outside Bray, on October 10, 2002.Both were convicted of IRA membership after the court heard gardai were led to their houses, after an attempt to hijack a container lorry outside Bray, Co Wicklow, on October 10, 2002.
...They found a briefcase with a number of documents, including detailed notes with names, addresses and movements of politicians, criminals and members of the rival republican terror group, the INLA.
It is believed the men were about to hijack a container of cigarettes, on its way to Dublin from Rosslare ferry port.

According to the last word yesterday, the Judges asked to see the Garda file on the matter and that of the DPP.

Mighty_Mouse wrote:

Yes it right up there with boards.ie!!!

Seriously though, does it not bother you that a leading broadsheet openly has set agendas on certain issues?e.g. Facts manipulated/invented etc ....

Funny that - no comment on the subject of the actual thread....
Is it because this is actual proof of an SF/IRA link-god forbid...

Aengus O' Snodaigh SF T.D was there all week supporting the accused.
He was unavailable yesterday for comment either when contacted by the last word on Today FM
Funny that no comment by the SF T.D...

Seriously how could you expect me to vote for a party with connections to this sort of stuff?

BuffyBot

Yes it right up there with boards.ie!!!

Seriously though, does it not bother you that a leading broadsheet openly has set agendas on certain issues?e.g. Facts manipulated/invented etc ....

As Rock Climber said, interestingly no comment on the thread topic itself...

Villain

Rock Climber wrote:

Seriously how could you expect me to vote for a party with connections to this sort of stuff?

I wouldn't

ionapaul

BuffyBot wrote:

As Rock Climber said, interestingly no comment on the thread topic itself...

Our typical IRA apologists aren't reading this thread anyhow...(they're over on one of the Burn in Hell America threads complaining about military oppression, the brave Iraqi insurgents and the horrible tragedy of civilian deaths)

Mighty_Mouse

I don't know enough about this story but very quickly:

It is believed the men were about to...

Doesn't it seem a little odd that they didn't let the IRA men actually rob or attempt to rob the container? Instead they get charged with membership of an illegal organisation which hardly even exists!

Nuttzz

Mighty_Mouse wrote:

Instead they get charged with membership of an illegal organisation which hardly even exists!

Really, well to quote Mr Adams "they havent gone away you know"

Rock Climber

Mighty_Mouse wrote:

I don't know enough about this story but very quickly:

Well you should inform yourself, about these things,you are coming up against posters here who have informed themselves.

Yes, membership of the IRA is illegal and the judges(there were three) having had sight of the DPP's report and special branch files were convinced that these were IRA members.
I find it curious that Angus O Snodaigh wasn't available for comment on the last word on Today FM yesterday.

It's fairly obvious I think by the way from my posts that I am not a SF voter,I'm carefull with my vote.
I do like some of their policies but a lot of them I don't and their association with this sort of stuff is a big NO NO for me.
SF mep's joining the communist grouping in the European parliament didn't impress me either. They should come out and say they are communists when they are on the doorstep looking for votes and not be mis representing themselves as mere socialists.

RuggieBear

Victor wrote:

Isn't the universal term "baseball cap" - is this a sly attempt to make it look like "baseball bat"?

Actually...that got me.....i assummed it said "bat". :eek:

Elmo

Our typical IRA apologists aren't reading this thread anyhow...(they're over on one of the Burn in Hell America threads complaining about military oppression, the brave Iraqi insurgents and the horrible tragedy of civilian deaths)

I am not an IRA appoligist however I do find it highly annoying that everyone seem to think that the British Army/Government aren't as bad. Well they are worse. Do I really need to go into the history of the British Empire to prove to you that they are just as bad. It was wrong of britian to go to Iraq. Where are the Wepons Of Mass Destruction, where is bin laden?

As far as I know the British Army, the RUC and Unionist Terriorist where involve in Dublin Monaghan Bombings.

The UVF and UDA are still around just as much as the IRA.

I didn't see very many of the Unionist leaders on the No To Racism march in Belfast, other then the Alliance Party. Where was Mr. Paisley?

Mighty_Mouse

Well you should inform yourself, about these things,you are coming up against posters here who have informed themselves.

OK Rockclimber, In your informed opinion...do you not find it a little strange that the gardai did not let them incriminate themselves in the robbery of a container? Instead they chose to arrest them "before" the "attempted" robbery and once again lose the opportunity to really nail the IRA on illegal activities? I just find it a little confusing. Please help?

Yes, membership of the IRA is illegal

Did I say different?

It's fairly obvious I think by the way from my posts

I agree you are usually obvious.

SF mep's joining the communist grouping in the European parliament didn't impress me either. They should come out and say they are communists

I refer you to your own statement about informing yourself on that one.

oh and watch out for those dirty commies under your bed!

ionapaul

Elmo wrote:

The UVF and UDA are still around just as much as the IRA.

I didn't see very many of the Unionist leaders on the No To Racism march in Belfast, other then the Alliance Party. Where was Mr. Paisley?

Well, I can promise that should any political organisation serving as a cover for loyalist terrorists (such as the PUP) come to my door seeking votes, I will give them the same time and respect I give Sinn Fein. Happy?

Rock Climber

Mighty_Mouse wrote:

OK Rockclimber, In your informed opinion...do you not find it a little strange that the gardai did not let them incriminate themselves in the robbery of a container?

I cannot comment on the operational decisions of the Gardaí but they did charge and sustain a conviction on an illegal activity.
Furthermore ,the Gardaí are by and large a reputable voice when it comes to knowing who is and isn't a law breaker.
Thirdly given that, they did prevent a further crime.

I refer you to your own statement about informing yourself on that one.

Oh do tell, have they left the communist grouping, the one thats an exclusive grouping for all of Europes communist MEP's??

oh and watch out for those dirty commies under your bed!

The only two communist countries that are left, that I can think of off hand are Cuba and China, neither of which are pillars of freedom , justice and fairness(or countries of equals).
There may be others in Africa and of course theres North Korea...
Communism is a failed system that basically needs fear and terror to keep it going.
Hmmmm fear and terror, that has a familiar ring to it...

I reserve the right to be among the vast majority of the world that rejects communism.

magpie

I saw that Daithi Doolan in a hippy organic market on saturday. Good to see those peace loving Sinn Fein types out doing their shopping.

Sure, they're basically the same as the Greens aren't they? They're just a party for 'young people' who are sick of the same old system. Of democracy. And no punishment beatings.