Taoiseach has Agreed to Meet the Victims and Survivors of the Glenanne Gang

Today in the Dáil Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD raised the case of Armagh PSNI station, claiming to have lost a Gun which has been linked to the Glenanne Gang. He stated;

“On Easter Monday a gun and 200 rounds of ammunition was found in a house outside the Moy on the Armagh Tyrone border. The gun and ammunition is thought to have been linked to the Glenanne Gang in the murder of Nationalists in the area”.

“It was found close to the Home of Aontú Mid Ulster Cllr Denise Mullen, whose father was murdered by the Glenanne Gang in front of her, when she was just 4 years old. The Gun was handed in to the PSNI Station in Armagh. A few days later the community checked to see, was an investigation of the history of the gun being pursued up by the PSNI”.

“Shockingly just over a week ago the PSNI denied receiving any gun. They denied a gun was handed in. Cllr Denise Mullen contacted the Ombudsman and raised it in the media. I myself at the time contacted the office of the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign for Foreign Affairs. After this pressure was brought to bear a few days later the PSNI admitted that the gun was indeed handed in”.

"Incredibly this is not new. A weapon was found 6 years ago and handed into Dungannon PSNI station. Receipt of that weapon was initially denied by the PSNI and then later admitted. This has done serious damage to confidence within the Nationalist community on the ability of the PSNI to investigate a gang that has murdered up to 120 people. How many times has evidence been given to the PSNI and without pollical controversy materials have just gone missing."

"This is not history either. This year Cllr Denise Mullen received a death threat from a former Glenanne Gang operative and murderer of her father. This death threat was made in the name of the East Tyrone Brigade of the UVF. I have asked 3 Taoisigh in a row to meet with the victims and survivors of the Glenanne Gang. So far they have not done so. I welcome that Mícheál Martin has said today that he will meet with survivors. I have asked that this would be done immediately using Zoom or Teams to make it happen."

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.