Death Threat Against Glenanne Family Raised With the Taoiseach in the Dáil

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín raised with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today the shocking case of the Death Threat that was made against the Aontú Mid Ulster Cllr Denise Mullen allegedly by convicted murderer Garfield Beattie.

He stated” Denise Mullen is an Aontú Cllr in Mid Ulster. 46 years ago the Glenanne Gang murdered her father in her family home. Denise, then aged just four, discovered her father’s lifeless body and was forced to stay beside him for two hours over fears there was a bomb inside the family home. Garfield Beattie was convicted for the murder of Denise’s father”.

“Beattie was released on licence under the Good Friday Agreement. He was a member of the Glenanne Gang made up of Loyalists, RUC officers and British Army soldiers. They were responsible for the murders of 120 innocent Catholics.

Last week Beattie was arrested for sending Denise a Death Threat. This has caused shocking fear and anxiety for Denise and her family. Its also a threat to the Peace Process. The threat was signed in the name of the East Tyrone Ulster Volunteer Force and specifically threatened the peace process”.

Shockingly Denise received the death threat while Fine Gael TD Charlie Flannagan undermined the Glenanne Families campaign for justice. I have formally asked 3 Taoisigh to meet with the Glenanne families including yourself. None deemed the request important enough to reply”. Will you Taoiseach meet with the Glenanne Families?

The Taoiseach responded that he would fulfil Deputy Tóibin’s request and meet with Families.

NB

Deputy Tóibín made his contribution just after 1pm.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.