Menu
21/02/2005
Leading SF members deny IRA membership
Three leading members of Sinn Fein have called on the Irish Government to have them arrested on charges of IRA membership following allegations made by an Irish Government Minister over the weekend.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell said on Sunday that prominent Sinn Fein members currently sat on the IRA Army Council and named the Republican party's President Gerry Adams, Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness and North Kerry TD Martin Ferris as three such individuals.
However, in a joint statement on Monday, all three denied "categorically" the IRA membership allegations and of sitting on the IRA Army Council.
The statement read: “Recently the Irish government accused Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams of withholding information and of conspiring to rob the Northern Bank in December. We challenged the government to stand this accusation up and they failed to do so.
“And then at the weekend Michael McDowell made his unfounded and serious allegation that we - Martin McGuinness, Martin Ferris and Gerry Adams - are members of the IRA Army Council.
“For Minister McDowell to do this is an abuse of his office. If his view is shared by the Gardaí then the only way this issue can be confronted is for us to be charged with IRA membership.”
Yesterday, Mr Adams said that any republicans involved in criminality should be expelled from the movement. Speaking at an IRA memorial unveiling in Strabane, the Sinn Fein President said "no republican worthy of the name can be involved in criminality of any kind".
Meanwhile, the PSNI have said that the money found in Newforge Country Club in Belfast at the weekend was stolen in the Northern Bank robbery last December.
Five shrink-wrapped packages discovered by police in toilets at the Sports Club on Saturday each contained £10,000 of new Northern Bank notes. Police have confirmed that the notes bear consecutive serial numbers corresponding to numbers notified to the PSNI by the bank.
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he believed Republicans planted the money at Newforge. The discovery apparently followed a call to the Police Ombudsman's office from someone purporting to be a police officer.
In the Republic of Ireland, Gardaí investigating an alleged money laundering operation have seized a further amount of cash estimated to be around £437,000.
The money is to be tested to see if it is linked to the £26 million Northern Bank raid blamed by the police on the IRA.
Almost £3 million has now been seized in the Garda operation since last Wednesday.
(MB/SP)
Justice Minister Michael McDowell said on Sunday that prominent Sinn Fein members currently sat on the IRA Army Council and named the Republican party's President Gerry Adams, Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness and North Kerry TD Martin Ferris as three such individuals.
However, in a joint statement on Monday, all three denied "categorically" the IRA membership allegations and of sitting on the IRA Army Council.
The statement read: “Recently the Irish government accused Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams of withholding information and of conspiring to rob the Northern Bank in December. We challenged the government to stand this accusation up and they failed to do so.
“And then at the weekend Michael McDowell made his unfounded and serious allegation that we - Martin McGuinness, Martin Ferris and Gerry Adams - are members of the IRA Army Council.
“For Minister McDowell to do this is an abuse of his office. If his view is shared by the Gardaí then the only way this issue can be confronted is for us to be charged with IRA membership.”
Yesterday, Mr Adams said that any republicans involved in criminality should be expelled from the movement. Speaking at an IRA memorial unveiling in Strabane, the Sinn Fein President said "no republican worthy of the name can be involved in criminality of any kind".
Meanwhile, the PSNI have said that the money found in Newforge Country Club in Belfast at the weekend was stolen in the Northern Bank robbery last December.
Five shrink-wrapped packages discovered by police in toilets at the Sports Club on Saturday each contained £10,000 of new Northern Bank notes. Police have confirmed that the notes bear consecutive serial numbers corresponding to numbers notified to the PSNI by the bank.
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he believed Republicans planted the money at Newforge. The discovery apparently followed a call to the Police Ombudsman's office from someone purporting to be a police officer.
In the Republic of Ireland, Gardaí investigating an alleged money laundering operation have seized a further amount of cash estimated to be around £437,000.
The money is to be tested to see if it is linked to the £26 million Northern Bank raid blamed by the police on the IRA.
Almost £3 million has now been seized in the Garda operation since last Wednesday.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
25 January 2016
'New IRA' Believed To Be Involved After Weapon Found In Co Tyrone
Police believe the 'new IRA' was involved after a suspected Armalite-type assault rifle was recovered in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on Friday. Superintendent Mark McEwan, the Derry City & Strabane District Commander said he believed the weapon, with ammunition, had been intended to be used to attcked police officers.
'New IRA' Believed To Be Involved After Weapon Found In Co Tyrone
Police believe the 'new IRA' was involved after a suspected Armalite-type assault rifle was recovered in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on Friday. Superintendent Mark McEwan, the Derry City & Strabane District Commander said he believed the weapon, with ammunition, had been intended to be used to attcked police officers.
30 September 2021
No Evidence Police Could Have Prevented 1992 IRA Murder Of Police Officer
The Police Ombudsman has found no evidence that police could have prevented an IRA mortar attack in Newry 1992 in which a police officer was killed and another received life-changing injuries. That is the key finding of a report from a Police Ombudsman investigation into complaints from the officers' families.
No Evidence Police Could Have Prevented 1992 IRA Murder Of Police Officer
The Police Ombudsman has found no evidence that police could have prevented an IRA mortar attack in Newry 1992 in which a police officer was killed and another received life-changing injuries. That is the key finding of a report from a Police Ombudsman investigation into complaints from the officers' families.
29 November 2005
Two arrested in connection with Northern Bank heist
Two people have been arrested in connection with last December's £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery in Belfast. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that a 24-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with the heist.
Two arrested in connection with Northern Bank heist
Two people have been arrested in connection with last December's £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery in Belfast. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that a 24-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with the heist.
29 January 2003
Man linked to McGartland shooting is arrested
A man who is suspected of being a member of the IRA assassination team that attempted to murder police informer Martin McGartland has been arrested in the Czech Republic. Michael Dickson, 38, a former British soldier is currently in custody for alleged cigarette smuggling.
Man linked to McGartland shooting is arrested
A man who is suspected of being a member of the IRA assassination team that attempted to murder police informer Martin McGartland has been arrested in the Czech Republic. Michael Dickson, 38, a former British soldier is currently in custody for alleged cigarette smuggling.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
