RNU Slams Trumped-up Arrest of Gary Donnelly

national | public consultation / irish social forum | press release Friday August 20, 2010 23:13 by DANNY MCBREARTY - Republican Network for Unity RepublicanNetwork at Hotmail dot com +44(0)7505206537

RNU Slams Trumped-up Arrest of Gary Donnelly

Following the arrest of Republican activist Gary Donnelly and revelations that the crown constabulary had demanded and seized related materials from a journalist, Republican Network for Unity (RNU) Chair DANNY MCBREARTY noted:

Following the arrest of Republican activist Gary Donnelly and revelations that the crown constabulary had demanded and seized related materials from a journalist, Republican Network for Unity (RNU) Chair DANNY MCBREARTY noted:

“It is ironic that the same discredited tactics of censorship by trumped-up charges and intimidation against political spokespersons and journalists, reminiscent of the Thatcher era are now being tried again by the supposedly new crown constabulary.

“The charge against Gary Donnelly is patently ridiculous, denied even by Eamonn MacDermott, the very journalist who took the call and knows Mr. Donnelly’s voice. At one time the British routinely targeted prominent Sinn Fein members with trumped-up charges, which would be dismissed on the eve of trial for lack of evidence. The real objective everyone understood was censorship and intimidation of those providing a Republican analysis critical of British rule that the crown did not want voiced.

“This charge seems to be repeat of that failed strategy against those prepared to provide, as well as to journalists prepared to record or report an alternative Republican analysis. Last week, we heard much about the need and benefits of engagement and dialogue. Today’s actions speak louder than those words.

“Republicans will not be silenced or intimidated. RNU supports Gary Donnelly and his fight for justice. We call upon journalists not to be intimidated or engage in self –censorship of groups critical of the Stormont administration at the behest of the crown constabulary.

“We remind those from our community who take up places on constabulary boards and partnerships that their refusal to condemn such tactics is touted as a rubber stamp of approval for all of the repression, and injustice meted out by the British constabulary”.