Menu
03/06/2011
Killer's Stormont Role 'To Continue', Says MP
One of Northern Ireland's most prominent republicans, the Stormont Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness has refused to reconsider his party's appointment of a convicted killer as a Stormont adviser to one of his Sinn Fein Executive colleagues.
The Westminster MP [who doesn't take his Parliament seat] made the statement on the same day he also condemned an overnight dissident republican bomb attack in the Brandywell area of his home city of Londonderry - in which members of his own family were caught up.
The senior Sinn Fein man and Stormont Assembly MLA merely conceded that the 1984 murder of magistrate's daughter Mary Travers was "wrong" and also said that this "should never have happened" after he had come under pressure to review the way that Mary McArdle was given a Government-funded post at Stormont - despite being convicted of the killing - with her new role angering the Travers family.
Responding today on the BBC, he said those who were part of conflict needed to be part of building a new society, despite McArdle being part of an IRA gang that had ambushed magistrate Tom Travers and his family as they left Mass - shooting his daughter Mary dead.
The former prisoner was controversially appointed to a role as a special adviser at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure last month.
Mr McGuinness told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme that his heart went out to Mary Travers' sister Anne and he fully understood why she would be angered by Ms McArdle's appointment.
He added: "The big question that people have to answer is: are people who have been part of the conflict, are they entitled to have a role in building a better future?"
This followed an article in the west Belfast Andersonstown News this week in which IRA killer McArdle said: "I want to state clearly that the killing of Mary Travers was a tragic mistake and I regret that it happened."
However, a clearly distressed Ann Travers, the victim's sister, speaking to BBC NI yesterday morning said: "A mistake? My sister was murdered."
Bomb Attack Blasted
On the overnight Derry bombing, McGuinness said: "This is a bomb that could quite easily have killed a number of people, particularly children," he said. "My own niece was caught up in it.
"I think it absolutely diabolical that there are still idiots within our society who believe it is sensible to go to an area like the Brandywell and place a bomb and threaten people's lives."
He commented after a number of homes in the Lecky Road area of the city were damaged when the bomb - which was left at the front door of a house - went off, shortly before 11pm on Thursday.
While the police investigation is at an early stage, residents in the Brandywell are convinced last night's bomb attack was the work of dissident republicans.
See: Judge's Daughter Terror Killing 'Mistake'
(BMcC)
The Westminster MP [who doesn't take his Parliament seat] made the statement on the same day he also condemned an overnight dissident republican bomb attack in the Brandywell area of his home city of Londonderry - in which members of his own family were caught up.
The senior Sinn Fein man and Stormont Assembly MLA merely conceded that the 1984 murder of magistrate's daughter Mary Travers was "wrong" and also said that this "should never have happened" after he had come under pressure to review the way that Mary McArdle was given a Government-funded post at Stormont - despite being convicted of the killing - with her new role angering the Travers family.
Responding today on the BBC, he said those who were part of conflict needed to be part of building a new society, despite McArdle being part of an IRA gang that had ambushed magistrate Tom Travers and his family as they left Mass - shooting his daughter Mary dead.
The former prisoner was controversially appointed to a role as a special adviser at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure last month.
Mr McGuinness told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme that his heart went out to Mary Travers' sister Anne and he fully understood why she would be angered by Ms McArdle's appointment.
He added: "The big question that people have to answer is: are people who have been part of the conflict, are they entitled to have a role in building a better future?"
This followed an article in the west Belfast Andersonstown News this week in which IRA killer McArdle said: "I want to state clearly that the killing of Mary Travers was a tragic mistake and I regret that it happened."
However, a clearly distressed Ann Travers, the victim's sister, speaking to BBC NI yesterday morning said: "A mistake? My sister was murdered."
Bomb Attack Blasted
On the overnight Derry bombing, McGuinness said: "This is a bomb that could quite easily have killed a number of people, particularly children," he said. "My own niece was caught up in it.
"I think it absolutely diabolical that there are still idiots within our society who believe it is sensible to go to an area like the Brandywell and place a bomb and threaten people's lives."
He commented after a number of homes in the Lecky Road area of the city were damaged when the bomb - which was left at the front door of a house - went off, shortly before 11pm on Thursday.
While the police investigation is at an early stage, residents in the Brandywell are convinced last night's bomb attack was the work of dissident republicans.
See: Judge's Daughter Terror Killing 'Mistake'
(BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 August 2003
At least 50 killed in Bombay bombings
Update: At least 50 people have been killed and around 120 wounded in two car bomb explosions, according to reports emerging today from the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay).
At least 50 killed in Bombay bombings
Update: At least 50 people have been killed and around 120 wounded in two car bomb explosions, according to reports emerging today from the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay).
04 November 2009
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
16 May 2008
Convicted Murderer Will Never Be Freed, Judge Says
A High Court judge has told a triple killer that he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Arthur Hutchinson, who is in his 60s, from Hartlepool, was sentenced to three life sentences for murdering the mother, father and brother of a bride hours after her wedding in 1983.
Convicted Murderer Will Never Be Freed, Judge Says
A High Court judge has told a triple killer that he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Arthur Hutchinson, who is in his 60s, from Hartlepool, was sentenced to three life sentences for murdering the mother, father and brother of a bride hours after her wedding in 1983.
15 April 2011
Bomb Alert Follows NI Pipe Bomb Find
In the latest of a series of security alerts in Northern Ireland, the PSNI has just reported that a suspicious object has been discovered in the Fairview Parade area of Newtownabbey, a suburban area of Co Antrim to the north of Belfast.
Bomb Alert Follows NI Pipe Bomb Find
In the latest of a series of security alerts in Northern Ireland, the PSNI has just reported that a suspicious object has been discovered in the Fairview Parade area of Newtownabbey, a suburban area of Co Antrim to the north of Belfast.
01 August 2005
London bomb suspect has ‘no links’ to terror groups
The suspect arrested in Rome in connection with the failed bomb attacks in London on July 21 has no links to large international terrorist organisations, according to Italian police.
London bomb suspect has ‘no links’ to terror groups
The suspect arrested in Rome in connection with the failed bomb attacks in London on July 21 has no links to large international terrorist organisations, according to Italian police.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and 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.
