British attempting to cover-up killings

British attempting to cover-up killings

Press Release 18th November 2002

On Tuesday 19th of November 2002 another preliminary hearing into the
scheduling of four inquests surrounding the killings of 4 men at
Clonoe, 3 men at Coagh, both by the SAS, 2 men by loyalists in Moy and
76 year-old pensioner Roseanne Mallon at Dungannon also by loyalists,
will open at Cookstown Court House.

In light of the European Court on Human Rights ruling (ECHR Article 2)
condemning the way in which the British Government have consistently
failed to properly investigate state killings, including killings in
which collusion is alleged, the families have issued the following
statement.

Speaking on behalf of the families Róisín Ui Mhuiri said:
‘The killings of our loved ones were unjust and unlawful. In two
incidents there was ample opportunity to make arrests and prevent the
loss of life, yet a very conscious decision was taken to kill our loved
ones. Those responsible for that decision must now be made accountable.
So too must those who carried out the killings.’

‘In the two remaining incidents loyalists were involved and collusion
between the death squads and the State is widely believed and strongly
evidenced.’

‘The inquest system is completely insufficient in terms of dealing
comprehensively with the killings of our loved ones. Although four
separate incidents, all of these killings occurred in highly
controversial and disputed circumstances which to date remain contested
and at variance with official versions of events provided by the State.
If we are to have the full facts then we must have a full and proper
examination of each of these killings.’

‘Additionally the inquest system does not comply with international
human rights standards nor the international obligations to which the
British Government has signed up to and which they are duty bound to
uphold. The European Court of Human Rights recently highlighted this in
relation to four very similar incidents.’

‘The implications of the European ruling mean that the investigations
into the deaths of our loved ones must be reopened and independently
examined. As yet in cases where state forces are implicated or involved
in the taking of life, the British Government has failed to implement
proper independent investigative mechanisms that comply with
international human rights agreements.

‘This inquest, and the attempt to push it through in advance of any
compliance with the European Court ruling, is in direct violation of
those agreements and our rights as bereaved relatives. This is also a
matter of public interest. A public that will increasingly ask what it
is the British have to hide.’

‘The attempt to carry on with this inquest hearing will not determine
the full facts nor will it bring to public attention exactly what
happened when 10 lives were violently taken. This is precisely the aim
of the British. In short the State should not be investigating itself.’

‘The failure by the British Ministry of Defence to even provide the
Coroner with documentation surrounding the killings is further evidence
that this inquest will not provide the necessary answers to the many
outstanding issues around all of the killings.’

‘As a matter of urgency we are now calling for proper independent
investigations that comply with international human rights standards
into these four incidents.’

‘Furthermore, we are in contact with the United Nations Special
Rapporteur on Summary and Arbitrary Executions to also examine all of
the killings.’

‘We will also be seeking urgent meetings with the British Secretary of
State, Paul Murphy, and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian
Cowen.’ ENDS.

Editors Notes:

In the village of Coagh Co Tyrone Tony Doris, Lawrence McNally, and
Pete Ryan, were ambushed and killed by the SAS in a pre-planned
operation.

At Clonoe in Coalisland Co Tyrone the SAS ambushed and killed Kevin
Barry O’Donnell, Peter Clancy, Sean O’Farrell, and Daniel Vincent also
in a pre-planned operation.

On the outskirts of Dungannon Co Tyrone loyalists shot-dead Roseanne
Mallon in her home. A neighbour accidentally stumbled upon
sophisticated surveillance cameras trained on the Mallon home. A covert
British army unit was also dug in and had been observing the Mallon
home at the time of the killing. Statements from the covert unit,
disclosed through civil action taken by the family, revealed that they
were ordered not to act as the killing occurred.