Press Release - For Immediate release -Families to meet Taoiseach

Wednesday February 7 2007

A number of families affected by collusion on both sides of the border are set to meet Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern TD at Government Buildings, Dublin at 1.45 today. Those meeting the Taoiseach include relatives of members of the Miami Showband, the 1975 Dundalk and Silverbridge bomb and gun attacks, members of the Reavey and O'Dowd families who each lost three family members in early 1976 and relatives of those killed in bomb attacks in Castleblaney and in Keady, S. Armagh in 1976. These and many other attacks in the 1970s in the Murder Triangle were carried out by a gang based at the farm of former RUC man James Mitchell in Glenanne, Armagh. The gang was made up of Portadown loyalists, members of the RUC Special Patrol Group and UDR members linked to Military Intelligence.

Recently an International Panel reported on these killings and the families who will attend today's meeting also gave evidence to a Sub-Committee of Dail Eireann. Among the delegation today will be Alan Brecknell whose father was killed in the gun and bomb attack on Donnelly 's Bar, an attack carried out by the Glenanne gang. Alan, who currently runs the PFC office in Newry, can be contacted at 00353 861739722. Speaking in advance of the meeting Alan said, 

"Following on from the very strong International Panel and Dail Committee reports we will be pressing the Taoiseach to ensure that the British Prime Minister finally comes clean on the level of collusion in the Murder Triangle in the 70s. This was not just a matter of the security forces/services directing loyalist paramilitaries or allowing them to kill- serving members of the security forces actually played a central role in attacks carried out by the Glenanne gang on both sides of the border. "      

(The International Panel Report can be accessed at www.patfinucanecentre.org The November Dail Committee report agreed with the International Panel on the levels of collusion, "Having considered all the submissions, both written and oral, the Committee is of the view that there is evidence tending to show that there was a period of time in which there was significant state collusion which was not limited to what might be referred to as foot soldiers, bad apples or the occasional wayward RUC officer or UDR member. The Sub-Committee expresses its outrage that acts of international terrorism could have been colluded in by all levels of the British administration." (para 89, Final Report on the Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Bombing of Kay's Tavern, Dundalk. November 2006) 

The families will be available for a photocall with the Taoiseach at 1.45pm

 END