Menu
13/02/2008
Is Informer Being Hidden From IRA?
A former DUP politician has linked the continued existence of an IRA 'Army Council' with the 'disappearance' of an unmasked MI5 agent.
The IRA terrorist organisation's governance was back on the agenda again after a republican - just revealed as an informer - was taken into "protective custody" late last week.
Roy McShane was once part of the so-called security team that looked after transport arrangements for the republican leadership, including Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams.
Mr McShane was reported to have been taken away for his own safety by the intelligence services, and in a similar fashion to the earlier unmasking of the later murdered Denis Donaldson as a "tout", Sinn Fein themselves revealed the matter to the media.
Now, break-away politician Traditional Unionist Voice MEP Jim Allister, has said: "The announcement that a republican has been taken into 'protective custody' raises the fundamental and important question: from whom is being protected?
"The answer, of course, is Sinn Fein/IRA, because despite all the whitewash they still have a military wing," he said, alleging that it already had killed Cullyhanna man, Paul Quinn and would kill Mr McShane too.
"So much for all the political sanitisation of of Sinn Fein/IRA: they are still the same violent, threatening organisation. Clearly the police know this, hence the protective custody for this man."
Mr McShane was part of a pool of drivers for senior republican leaders from the time of the IRA's first ceasefire in 1994 and one of the Gerry Adam's drivers during one of the most politically significant periods of the 'Peace Process', the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
The unmasking of yet another British agent inside the republican movement in Belfast is an embarrassment for Sinn Féin and an indication of the depths to which the security forces penetrated the organisation in the latter years of the Troubles.
A security source said MI5 was so concerned to get the man out quickly that he had to leave behind his wife and family.
But Sinn Féin, who said McShane had never been a party member, emphasised he was "not under any threat from republicans".
Alex Maskey, Sinn Féin's Assembly Member for South Belfast, said McShane had confessed to his family that he was working for the British security forces.
Trying to play down McShane's significance, Mr Maskey said: "I see him under no threat from republicans. The war is over. We made steps sometime ago to remove him from his position as a driver, but we didn't have specific evidence against him."
He said McShane was safe to return and the affair had been "extremely distressing" for his family.
However, the same was said about another informer, Denis Donaldson who was brutally murdered at a poorly hidden 'getaway' cottage in Co Donegal - being blasted repeatedly with a shotgun at close range.
No one has been charged with that murder, or to date, with that of Paul Quinn, whose parents insist was killed last year after a personal fall-out with local IRA commanders in South Armagh.
(BMcC)
The IRA terrorist organisation's governance was back on the agenda again after a republican - just revealed as an informer - was taken into "protective custody" late last week.
Roy McShane was once part of the so-called security team that looked after transport arrangements for the republican leadership, including Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams.
Mr McShane was reported to have been taken away for his own safety by the intelligence services, and in a similar fashion to the earlier unmasking of the later murdered Denis Donaldson as a "tout", Sinn Fein themselves revealed the matter to the media.
Now, break-away politician Traditional Unionist Voice MEP Jim Allister, has said: "The announcement that a republican has been taken into 'protective custody' raises the fundamental and important question: from whom is being protected?
"The answer, of course, is Sinn Fein/IRA, because despite all the whitewash they still have a military wing," he said, alleging that it already had killed Cullyhanna man, Paul Quinn and would kill Mr McShane too.
"So much for all the political sanitisation of of Sinn Fein/IRA: they are still the same violent, threatening organisation. Clearly the police know this, hence the protective custody for this man."
Mr McShane was part of a pool of drivers for senior republican leaders from the time of the IRA's first ceasefire in 1994 and one of the Gerry Adam's drivers during one of the most politically significant periods of the 'Peace Process', the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
The unmasking of yet another British agent inside the republican movement in Belfast is an embarrassment for Sinn Féin and an indication of the depths to which the security forces penetrated the organisation in the latter years of the Troubles.
A security source said MI5 was so concerned to get the man out quickly that he had to leave behind his wife and family.
But Sinn Féin, who said McShane had never been a party member, emphasised he was "not under any threat from republicans".
Alex Maskey, Sinn Féin's Assembly Member for South Belfast, said McShane had confessed to his family that he was working for the British security forces.
Trying to play down McShane's significance, Mr Maskey said: "I see him under no threat from republicans. The war is over. We made steps sometime ago to remove him from his position as a driver, but we didn't have specific evidence against him."
He said McShane was safe to return and the affair had been "extremely distressing" for his family.
However, the same was said about another informer, Denis Donaldson who was brutally murdered at a poorly hidden 'getaway' cottage in Co Donegal - being blasted repeatedly with a shotgun at close range.
No one has been charged with that murder, or to date, with that of Paul Quinn, whose parents insist was killed last year after a personal fall-out with local IRA commanders in South Armagh.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2002
European court rules against UK Government
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the British Government breached the human rights of a man who died during riots in Derry six years ago. Dermot McShane was killed in Derry in July 1996 during a public disorder when an army vehicle drove into a hoarding behind which he was sheltering.
European court rules against UK Government
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the British Government breached the human rights of a man who died during riots in Derry six years ago. Dermot McShane was killed in Derry in July 1996 during a public disorder when an army vehicle drove into a hoarding behind which he was sheltering.
10 April 2019
Local Election Posters Stolen In North Coast
A Sinn Fein Councillor in Ballycastle has condemned the recent theft of her election posters. Police discovered the criminal activity last night, Tuesday 09 April, after stopping a suspicious looking vehicle in Portrush. Stolen election posters were found in the vehicle and four people were ordered to court for theft and criminal damage offences.
Local Election Posters Stolen In North Coast
A Sinn Fein Councillor in Ballycastle has condemned the recent theft of her election posters. Police discovered the criminal activity last night, Tuesday 09 April, after stopping a suspicious looking vehicle in Portrush. Stolen election posters were found in the vehicle and four people were ordered to court for theft and criminal damage offences.
27 June 2018
SF Sectarianism Strategy 'Little More Than A Photo-Call'
A Sinn Féin strategy to tackle sectarianism has been described as "little more than a photo-call" by DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell. Commenting, Mr Campbell said: "Sinn Fein's anti-sectarianism strategy is a worthwhile concept. Of course all sectarianism should be opposed and condemned.
SF Sectarianism Strategy 'Little More Than A Photo-Call'
A Sinn Féin strategy to tackle sectarianism has been described as "little more than a photo-call" by DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell. Commenting, Mr Campbell said: "Sinn Fein's anti-sectarianism strategy is a worthwhile concept. Of course all sectarianism should be opposed and condemned.
23 May 2014
Natasha McShane's Attacker Jailed
A 35-year-old man who brutally assaulted Irish student Natasha McShane with a baseball bat in Chicago has been jailed for 90 years. Heriberto Viramontes was sentenced at the city's Cook County Court and was convicted last October.
Natasha McShane's Attacker Jailed
A 35-year-old man who brutally assaulted Irish student Natasha McShane with a baseball bat in Chicago has been jailed for 90 years. Heriberto Viramontes was sentenced at the city's Cook County Court and was convicted last October.
25 October 2013
Man Guilty Of Natasha McShane Attack
A man has been found guilty of the attempted murder of Co Armagh woman Natasha McShane. Heriberto Viramontes, 34, was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Ms McShane's friend, Stacy Jurich. The two women were attacked and robbed in the US city of Chicago in the early hours of 23 April 2010.
Man Guilty Of Natasha McShane Attack
A man has been found guilty of the attempted murder of Co Armagh woman Natasha McShane. Heriberto Viramontes, 34, was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Ms McShane's friend, Stacy Jurich. The two women were attacked and robbed in the US city of Chicago in the early hours of 23 April 2010.
-
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.
