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Human Rights in Ireland
Indymedia Ireland is a volunteer-run non-commercial open publishing website for local and international news, opinion & analysis, press releases and events. Its main objective is to enable the public to participate in reporting and analysis of the news and other important events and aspects of our daily lives and thereby give a voice to people.

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Lockdown Skeptics

The Daily Sceptic

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Fantasy By Paul Williams

category national | miscellaneous | press release author Tuesday November 18, 2003 11:30author by Madra Rua - Irish Republican Socialist Partyauthor email irsp at netwizards dot net Report this post to the editors

Paul Williams Crimelords

Paul Williams is an "investigative journalist" working for the Sunday World tabloid. He wrote his latest book because over the last few years in Ireland "organised crime has seen a dramatic upsurge which seems certain to continue." This alarmist book presents 21st century Ireland as some kind of 1930s Chicago.

In fact in the 26 counties the level of crime for the last 17 years has remained virtually static, and by international standards the
murder rate is not high: in the year 2000 the homicide rate was 1.48 per 100 000 of the population compared to 1.97 in Sweden, 2.11 in Scotland and 5.64 in the USA. (Sunday Business Post 9.11.2003) The book exaggerates, but
does not investigate the roots of this alleged upsurge in crime.

The author does not investigate whether there is an intrinsic connection between the
neo-liberalism of the Celtic Tiger and criminality, or whether drug abuse
has something to do with social and economic marginalisation. Williams does not explore the structural causes of criminality. Instead he proposes an "evil individual" theory of crime. The "Pimpernel", the "Viper", the
"Colonel", the "Westies" and other godfathers around which the book is centered are blamed for crime. How good is Paul Williams' investigation of the Irish underworld ?

A look at his treatment of the INLA paramilitary
organisation (which occupies about the quarter of the book) should raise some skepticism as to the overall value of his journalism. For Williams the
INLA is nothing but a "criminal rabble" with no cohesive approach to anything apart from criminal activity, a "flag of convenience for a collection of dangerous thugs". The point his investigation is trying to make is that its members are "intrinsically involved in organised crime"
and are using Republican Socialism as a cover for this.

The chapters on the INLA are full of factual inaccuracies, some of them quite astonishing. According to Williams, the founder of the organisation, Seamus Costello "styled the organisation on European Marxist terror groups
such as the Red Brigades and the Bader (sic) Meinhoff" (93). There is no evidence of this. Anyone with a minimal knowledge of the history of the IRSP/INLA knows that Costello wanted to build an organisation in the Left Republican tradition to which groups like the RAF are totally foreign.
Williams comes with a most bizarre theory when blaming the killing of Costello on Belfast-based members of the INLA who wanted to seize control
of the movement (93, 96). In fact, it is beyond doubt that he was killed by Jim Flynn, of the Official IRA.

For someone who presents himself as a serious investigative journalist, Williams makes serious factual mistakes.

He makes the astonishing claim that in the post 1987 period "over thirty INLA members were murdered by former friends and associates" (106) Paul Williams should then supply the reader with a list of those thirty plus names, because they are nowhere to be found (in doubt check the most recent edition of Lost Lives). The author also writes that during the 1996 INLA feud "most of the old GHQ faction remained loyal to 'Cueball' Torney" (119). Once again, he gets the facts wrong, because apart from a couple of
individuals, the movement remained unified behind Cueball's opponents. Williams should go and check the official statements which were issued by
the various people involved then.

When not getting the facts wrong, Williams sometimes simply invents them. He writes that when Veronica Guerin was assassinated "an official circular from the IRSP declared that Veronica Guerin had effectively got what she deserved. They also sent a direct threat to other crime journalists in the country stating that they would receive the same treatment." (121) If this is the case, then he should produce this 'official circular', because there has never been such a circular issued by the IRSP. The same goes for his statement that one year after their 1998 ceasefire, "in August 1999 the INLA declared that their war was officially over." (125) Again, there have never been any such statement either by the IRSP or the INLA. On top of that, many minor details reveal the book to be sloppy. For example, Williams writes that in 1998 the former leader of the IPLO was twenty eight years old while born in 1960, and systematically spells "expatriate" "ex-patriot".

Finally, Paul Williams' prose is as crude and vulgar as his political analysis. For
example Williams writes of a certain criminal that "he considered the INLA to be his own police force and if anyone wanted to ---- with him (sic) then they would be answerable to the thugs and thieves in the 'movement'." (114) Such language and the fact that Williams gets basic facts wrong should create doubt as to the value and validity of his general argument. Compared to serious investigative journalism, such as for example Vincent Browne's investigations of the Workers Party and the Official IRA in Magill, Paul
Williams' book constitutes good sensationalism but not very impressive
analysis.

As to the actual remedies to organised criminality, Paul Williams is
implicitly and explicitly calling for more resources for law enforcement
agencies. The author notes that in 21st century Ireland "law enforcement is
in a state of crisis", not because the erosion of civil liberties while
evidence grows about members of the Garda abusing their powers, but because
the government forgot its promises of more officers and more resources. His
book reinforces the media climate encouraging more drastic laws and tougher
policing by exaggerating criminality. It is interesting to note that, as
Vincent Browne reminds us, "by far the greatest piece of organised crime we
have seen here in decades and which won for the perpetrators of that crime
huge proceeds was entirely ignored by the Criminal Assets Bureau. This was
the mega Dirt Tax fraud perpetrated by the big banks." (Sunday Business Post, 9.11.2003) Yet, Paul Williams remains entirely silent on these "crimelords". And the panic measures he calls for can only deepen the
injustice and intensify the alienation on which crime grows.

Liam O RUAIRC



IRSP
392 Falls Road
Belfast BT12 6DH
Ireland

author by curiouser & curiouserpublication date Tue Nov 18, 2003 13:26author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I'm not saying what Williams writes is correct or not - he is certainly wrong about the early history of the IRSM and this obviously taints the rest of his work re: INLA.

But, who was responsible for the bomb found under his car last week? Hardly 'typical' criminal activity is it?

author by Hebepublication date Tue Nov 18, 2003 13:54author address author phone Report this post to the editors

For years Gangsters have used such car bombs, even real ones. About 15 years ago the "General" put a bommb under the car of the Director of the State Forensics Laboratory.Even in Limerick they have moved on from stabbings to car bombs.

author by Shoot Dennis O'Brienpublication date Tue Nov 18, 2003 17:17author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Smug vapid Paul Williams serves to distract the Irish people from this country's real criminals, who carry briefcases rather than guns and wear handmade suits instead of tracksuits.

As Heroin poured into Ireland in the early 1980s (we knew not why) a young man recently returned from the world's biggest heroin producer set up his own stockbroking firm.

How was it done.

He knew some big heroin producers in afghanistan.

Heroin came flooding into Ireland.

He got rich.


Join the dots.

author by joeypublication date Tue Nov 18, 2003 17:31author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Today's evening herald front page gives a clue to the provenance of the "bomb".Gardai protection has been withdrawn from Williams' house again resulting in loss of overtime pay for the lads in blue.And they're hoping mad about it. The warders in Mountjoy manufactured a slop throwing incident yesterday to justify their campaign for continued overtime payments for sitting on their arses all day.These two non -news stories should be viewed in the same light.

author by Steeliepublication date Tue Nov 18, 2003 17:51author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The quote above is from the Phoenix's profile of Paul Williams. Linked below.

It is indeed curious that the police protection is being withdrawn. I also thought it was curious that the bomb was not real, and that it was detected by the gardai. I'd say that Paul Williams is not adverse to helping the gardai out like this when they need a crisis to protect them from mullah McDowell's cuts. Williams also appears to revel in the role of anti-crime hero and must have loved the incident. In reality his job entails re-writing garda press releases to include flowery prose, not that brave a calling.

Looks like McDowell's boys in the secret service have cottoned on to the scam and are giving the gardai a ticking off.

Related Link: http://www.phoenix-magazine.com/archives/2003.08.29/tastepage3.html
author by Clive Sullishpublication date Tue Nov 18, 2003 21:33author address author phone Report this post to the editors

There is considerable evidence that it was a publicity seeker by the name of Liam Wilpauls who placed the fake 'bomb' under this brave journalist's car.

Wasn't it fortunate that a sharp-eyed garda spotted this harmless device in the pitch dark of the early morning .

author by skafricanpublication date Wed Nov 19, 2003 00:02author address author phone Report this post to the editors

State journalist Paul Williams law and order cohorts probably placed the crude car bomb/shoe box under his car themselves. Lets not forget members of the gardai have experience dealing with explosives that is acquiring explosives to plant and later uncover as republican arms finds.

How convenient is it, that just as Mr williams is launching his shallow tabloid sensationalist expose, that he finds an alleged INLA device/shoe box under his car.

Mr Williams work of fiction is clearly designed to scare monger and whip up mass public hysteria about crime, to facilitate the introduction of hardline law and order policies. Whilst simultaneously discrediting the INLA.

Northern Ireland and Ireland have lower crimes rates than the UK. Mainly due to the influence of our paramilitaries who have sucessfully resisted the importation and dispersion of hard drugs/heroin into working class communities.

You will find that the areas in Northern Ireland such as Ballymena/smack city, under control of the drug barons, are all localities/councils with staunch right wing neo conservative hardline law and order politicians such as the Rev Ian Paisley at their helm.

So there appears to be link between hardline law and order advocats and an explosion of hard drugs within these areas.

author by Scribepublication date Wed Nov 19, 2003 04:19author address author phone Report this post to the editors

According to the Evening Herald the "explosive" was in fact putty.
Gawd! What some people will do to sell a few books.
Of course, the reason this hoax was done could also be part of the overtime scam, but either way Williams is now totally discredited.
The type of "journalism" he practices belongs in the gutter, and would not be out of place in that british "newspaper", the Sun.

author by Lone gunmanpublication date Wed Nov 26, 2003 23:42author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Of thestock broker Heroin dealer?Who what wher when.?Innuendo and guessing dont add up to facts

author by Lone gunmanpublication date Wed Nov 26, 2003 23:58author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Rote Armee Faktion was the sucessor to the Badder Meinhoff gang.Which was an Arnachist gang of spoilt rich middle class German kids playing at left wing terrorism. There is factual evidence that RAF and BM had made contact or tried to operate with the PIRA. The PIRA rejected their overtures as being too ameuterish. RAF closed up shop in the early nineties after the end of their workers paradise and sponsor in East Germany became part of history.

author by Lone gunmanpublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 00:05author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The Limerick bomb was a mercury tiltswitch/timer bomb.Pioneered by the INLA. quite sophisticated,and abit beyond the average "take a gun and shoot everythin ,apart from the target,"Limerick hitman Not only that it contained SEMTEX H. Not available anymore on the black markets.And not exactly "Gangsta"weapons.
Soo it would suggest that there are INLA "mercenaries" on the loose and the INLA command and control is gone over their organization,stores and arms dumps.Which would suggest that Williams is somwhat on the level with his reports.

author by Dubiouspublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 11:18author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The CIA & US Special Forces would be most upset to hear it claimed that the INLA pioneered the Mercury Tilt Switch! The PIRA also used it extensively. It is just as likely that ex US Military personnel, ex SAS, ex Irish Army Rangers or even ex PIRA are working freelance for Limerick Hoods.

author by ,.,publication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:10author address author phone Report this post to the editors

the RAF & BM were not anarchist, how could they be when they were sponsered by the DDR, state communists? Marxist terrorists more like.
Produce the evidence of their libertarian views and practice.

author by Lone gunmanpublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 13:43author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Check out the book the INLA deadly divisions
by Jack Holland & Henry Mac Donald. The chapter on the assination of Airey Neeve. The first recorded use of a mercury tilt switch bomb is on a prison officer in Lisburn Dec 1978.
The history of its idea came from the Divis flats heating complex[aka the planet of ERPs].also admitted on the recent RTE programme Bombers by I belive an ex quatermaster of the INLA.
Of course if you can quote a offical US or Uk military manual on improvised weapons[one of the socalled black books] pre 1978.its serial no would do where this device is mentioned I would be most intrested. Of course it is now common knowledge tothe informed,but it is still intresting to note the use of the explosives and the fingerprint of who made the bomb.

author by Lone Gunmanpublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 13:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Read Marcuss Wolffs memories on this. Herr Wolff was cheif of the STAZI counter intelligence and director of operations against the West.[actually I do belive he has a website so you could possibly quiery him this yourself.]. it was part of the entire Eastblock plan of destabilisation of the West by any means possible.Financing of ,training of every anti establishment group in the West that had a possibility of suceeding.Everything from BM to the anti cruise missile campain in Germany.
[Sow dissent & confusionby any means in your enemies camp Sun Tzu The Art of War]

Again read up the trial of both Andreass Baader and Ulrike Meinhoff. their speechees from the dock or more like rant and rave from the dock.is a mix of anarcho,socialist,communist,hate the western world nonsense.would suggest to anyone that they were nuts or anarchists with a dose of socialism.
Ditto the RAF it seemed to have no coherent plan after the "class struggle" with what it was going to replace it with.Usually a state sponsored group of the Communist ilk already would have their plan for the struggle well mapped out.Especially Germans!

author by Dubiouspublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 14:04author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Enoch Powell, M.P. for South Down, claimed in an interview in January 1984 that the C.I.A. had been responsible for a number of assassinations, including those of Airey Neave, Lord Mountbatten and Neave’s friend and Unionist colleague, Robert Bradford M.P. In the Guardian, on 12/3/1984, Powell claimed that the police were convinced of “the effective existence of a policy and motivation outside and above the IRA and INLA” which had led to “a series of assassinations which can be distinguished from the run-of-the-mill murders of persons connected with the security forc! es”.

It was therefore seen as significant that Neave’s successor, Humphrey Atkins, soon after becoming Ulster Secretary, proposed talks on Northern Ireland’s future with the US and Irish governments in New York. Although this particular proposal met with resistance and was dropped, this process would lead to the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985. Airey Neave was seen as implacably opposed to surrendering British sovereignty in this way, and his removal was important to the Irish government and their American friends."

more at:

http://www.mediamonitors.net/johnhiddleston1.html

www.ibabodyguards.gr/__english/_courses.htm

Related Link: http://www.mediamonitors.net/johnhiddleston1.html
author by RED BHOYpublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 14:25author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Williams is benefiting from the hurt on the streets. By sensationalising these stories and making them seem like 1930s Chicago gangs he is only feeding into the ego of these little muppets who think they own the country. He has got the part about the INLA just being a cover for gangsters and scumbags right though. INLA are inextricably linked to Drugdealers and criminals around Dublin.

author by Rapper Tandypublication date Thu Nov 27, 2003 14:40author address author phone Report this post to the editors

You say it, so it must be true. Just as plausible as the racist filth you are spreading on other threads.

author by Lone gunmanpublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 00:30author address author phone Report this post to the editors

A very intresting bit of oddness that went on in Mr Powells mind.which was very odd somtimes.But does it somhow prove /disprove the point made that the INLA pioneerd the tilt switch bomb?Which was being claimed ,as per usual that it was a CIA/SF/SAS/DEA?NRA George Bush[pick your favourite boogeyman] invention.Rather than accepting the "freedom fighters" of the INLA actually made and used the thing.Credit where credit is due.It is now used by everyone in the Terrorist and SF forces.Somthing Deanta in Eireinn is now in use worldwide.Somthing we should be proud of in a peverse way.

author by Rapper Tandypublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 11:10author address author phone Report this post to the editors

You choose to believe the work of dirt digging journalists in Deadly Divisions, they have no original documents or no one willing to go on the record. Its just as believable as the Powell ravings.

Thats the point.

author by Lone gunmanpublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 14:32author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I suppose we are just to belive anything that the IRSP/INLA killer squads and their apologists say is true?
Like to qoute a "beliveable" source on those scum sucking killers?They are nothing but low life criminals.What would comerade Costello make of loons like O Hare and the "peoples army" HAHAHAHAH prstituteing them selves for drug dealers.?

author by Rapperpublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 14:39author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Wheres your proof about drug dealing?

author by podgepublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 16:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

You've got a cheek going on about killer squads and criminals.Nearly every contribution I've read from you reccently has been about guns or effective ways of killing. The contributions you made on the Warren commission were out and out grizly. You're obviously a sick man ,you should get medical advice . Seriously.

author by Moving targetpublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 17:05author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Yes, every time Lone gunman sends a comment he manages to show himself up. Funny thing is, he seems incapable of recognising the irony of his position.

author by RED BHOYpublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 17:48author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Define racist Mr Rapper. I dont think Im a racist. I like listening to Afro American music. I have many heroes that arent Irish or even white. I have friends form Bosnia, Rwanda, Britain,All over the world. I think the continent of Africa was given a raw deal by the 9 european countries who at the start of the last century basically divided the continent up between themselves. I think theses immigrants should be left to look after themselves in their own countries. Helped if the need be. But I dont think its healthy to have a huge influx of immigrants into any country. Pardon me if I came across as a numbskull. But Im entitled to my opinions. Thats democracy. Free speech and all that malarky. And as for the INLA being involved in drug dealing. A blind man can see the links between the scum on the streets and the INLA. Why did Dessie O Hare leave the INLA in Portlaoise and be seen to associate with hardened dirtbags down there?. A decent sort wouldnt look at them (maybe down the barrell of a gun though). And then he jumps on the Good Friday bandwagon. Cop on. See the light. Minion

author by No Borders Bhoypublication date Fri Nov 28, 2003 17:53author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"But I dont think its healthy to have a huge influx of immigrants into any country."

So why follow Celtic then?

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