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A RELATIVE OF a person killed in one of the worst atrocities committed during the Troubles has brought a High Court challenge aimed at preventing the appointment of PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner.
The action has been brought by researcher Ciaran MacAirt whose grandmother Kathleen Irvine was one of 15 people killed when a loyalist bomb exploded at McGurk’s Bar in Belfast in December 1971.
In his action, MacAirt says Harris lacks the independence required to be Garda Commissioner due to this role in the PSNI and its predecessor – the RUC.
Represented by Gerard Humphreys Bl, instructed by McGeehin Toale Solicitors claims Harris could not direct or control any ongoing investigation into the murder of an Irish citizen where there is credible evidence of collusion between the killers by the RUC or agencies of the British State, including the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
Counsel said it is believed the appointment will take place in September.
He claims that due to his senior role with the PSNI, Harris has possession of information directly relevant to Garda investigations into the murder of Irish citizens during the Troubles.
He claims Harris has signed and is bound by the UK’s Official Secrets Act making it impossible to fully discharge his duties as the next Garda Commissioner.
This conflict, it is claimed, is incompatible with the duties of Section 5 of the Garda Síochána Act, in particular to state security and the investigation of crime.
MacAirt, who says he was shocked by the decision to appoint Harris, says he was written a book about and researched the McGurk’s bombing and is a director of the Charity Paper Trail which supports victims and survivors of the Troubles.
He claims that he has been trying to establish the truth behind the bombing.
The RUC initially blamed it on an IRA bomb being accidentally detonated when in fact the bomb was deliberately planted in the bar by the UVF.
One of their members, Robert Campbell was jailed for the atrocity in 1977.
However, MacAirt says there was never a proper investigation into the bombing, and claims there was RUC cover-up in regards to what happened.
He claims his efforts to find the truth have been frustrated by the PSNI, and have been consistently obstructed by Deputy Chief Constable Harris.
It is claimed that as part of his role with the PSNI, Harris had responsibility for the PSNI’s Historical Enquiries Team, which investigated the bombing. It produced four reports, which McAirt says Harris had the final say over.
The four reports he said were all rejected by the victims of the bombing as the allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the RUC were not addressed.
Harris’s role in that investigation into the murder of Irish citizens he says makes it impossible for him to hold the position of Garda Commissioner.
In his action against the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General, McAirt seeks various orders including one quashing the decision to appoint Harris as Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.
In the alternative, he seeks an order preventing Harris having any role in the direction and control of the Garda investigation into the murder of Irish citizens where there is credible evidence of collusion by the RUC or other agencies of the British state in the murder.
He also seeks declarations that the Irish State is obliged to conduct independent investigations murders of Irish citizens where there is credible evidence of collusion.
He further seeks a declaration that due to his obligations under the UK’s Official Secrets Act and his role in the protection of the PSNI, the RUC and other agencies of the UK, Harris would be incapable of controlling an independent investigation into the murder of those Irish citizens where collusion was alleged.
The matter came before Justice Miriam O’Regan at Friday’s sitting of the High Court. The Judge granted permission, on an ex parte basis, for MacAirt’s lawyers to make an application for leave to bring his judicial proceedings on notice to the state respondents.
The matter will return before the court on Tuesday.
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Good for him. He saw a niche and filled it.
That’s what she said.
That’s really quite a clever idea, fair play to him for taking the initiative.
Them awards are a load of rubbish one so called entrepreneur won an award for making paper cups.
@ Jack – Fox won because he took on the chinese large volume only, two month wait manufacturers. “Cupprint offers a minimum order quantity of 1,000 cups for marketing companies and 5,000 for retail/cafes in a turnaround time of 15 days anywhere in Europe.” He also managed to create employment in this country in 2009. We need more people like this.
I read their story in the paper few months ago. Before they came along you had to get big orders from China with a 8 week turnaround time, now their process can do it in days and they’re supplying orders of all sizes to all over Europe from Ireland.
It’s easy to sit behind a keyboard and take pot shots and people who got out there in the world and did things. Most people wait around for life to happen to them, we need people, even if they’re a small number, who don’t wait around, who do things on their own initiative.
At least the business he set up was useful, unlike Sutherlands former Goldman buddies who make money on pointless nonsense like moving steel around to diff warehouses to artificially restrict the supply and make money off the ensuing spike in prices, and who lets not forget, were at the centre of the subprime mortgage scam that brought down the global economy.
We need entrepreneurs who actually provide goods and services and while this might seem like a small deal to you, I’m sure the people using it see the benefit.
And prey tell, what do you do for a living Jack? How many jobs have you created? How much wealth? How many families are paying mortgages and bills through something you set up?
Ciaran, I own 2 businesses and Im involved as a silent partner is 4 others also I own 6 houses that are rented out. In 1983 I invented a well known household product that I sold on for a tidy profit. At the moment I am looking at inventing a new form of transport so watch this space.
Well done Jack we need more people like you in Ireland
@ Jack – and you did’nt get an award. Sour grapes?
What’s your full name Jack?
Hi Mark!
A question on the product – is the money transferred out of the Country subject to an ‘exit tax’ for example?
Congratulations to all winners, except Peter Sunderland of course.
What’s your problem with Suds??
Best friend of Denis
Best friend of Denis ,must need to raise a few bobs.
Best friend of Denis ,he must need to raise money
This Sutherland thing is a sick joke. A ruthless character. How twisted can things get in the rarefied air of the unknowing?
have your say