The Haas Talks

[playwiththewind1st]

I'm not being political in any way here but it says that letters were sent to those 'On the Run' - if they were 'on the run' how did they know where to send the letters to?

Gerry Kelly hand delivered them!! 

I'd say they went through SF or in some cases solicitors.

Aye & probably got another lift off the peelers to get round faster!

[orangeman]

I see the Stormont Assembly condemned the Brit Govt over the issue today( 56 to 27)
Does that mean
1- The British Government has to resign and hold a General Election?
2- Did the SDLP support the Unionist motion.?
3 - Does anyone give two fcuks what that Assembly does once the pay cheques keep coming?

1. Never
2. Never
3. Never

As big Ian would say.

Now I know what he meant all along.

[Maguire01]

I see the Stormont Assembly condemned the Brit Govt over the issue today( 56 to 27)
Does that mean
1- The British Government has to resign and hold a General Election?
2- Did the SDLP support the Unionist motion.?
3 - Does anyone give two fcuks what that Assembly does once the pay cheques keep coming?

Voted in both the Ayes and Noes according to the record - positively abstaining.

[Saffrongael]

Elsewhere in the news:

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/event-to-mark-downey-return-1-5903875


come on down if you are in the area its a free event 

Downey has cancelled the event

[orangeman]

Elsewhere in the news:

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/event-to-mark-downey-return-1-5903875


come on down if you are in the area its a free event 

Downey has cancelled the event

Grant money didn't come through.

[Maguire01]

Elsewhere in the news:

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/event-to-mark-downey-return-1-5903875


come on down if you are in the area its a free event 

Downey has cancelled the event

Good call - nice to see a bit of common sense prevailing. 

[Gaffer]

Wee Willie will be peeved!

He has the diesel in the tractor and was on his way up for a wee protest!

[glens abu]

In a statement issued through Sinn Féin, Mr Downey said tonight's homecoming event was not intended to insult or add to the hurt of anyone bereaved in the attack.

"Some elements of the media are portraying the event planned for tonight as triumphalist and insulting to bereaved families.  That was never what it was about," Mr Downey said.

The Sinn Féin member said that he has worked to promote peace and reconciliation and never intended to insult or hurt anyone.

"I am only too aware of their pain as there are many bereaved families also in the republican community."

Mr Downey said: "I refuse to allow what was planned as a simple get together of family, friends and neighbours who supported me throughout my wrongful arrest and imprisonment in England to welcome me home and allow me to thank them, to be misrepresented and turned into a media circus."

[Applesisapples]

What a load of nonsense it would appear that everyone knew the OTRs were being in formed that they were or were not wanted. How'd Robinson think they were informed, telepathy? As for the stoops, just when you think they can't stoop any lower Big Al pulls it out of the bag.

[Denn Forever]

What would the thoughts be if the army from Bloody Sunday are given letters to say that they will never be pursued for their crimes?

[Gaffer]

Or if 187 loyalists waved similar kind of letters in the air?

[take_yer_points]

What would the thoughts be if the army from Bloody Sunday are given letters to say that they will never be pursued for their crimes?

I'd imagine there'd be outrage amongst sections of the republican and nationalist community as well as a fair amount of indifference amongst some other sections. There'd also be a few who would agree with Peter Hain this morning when he said there's no point in pursuing the perpetrators with a view to seeking prosecution.

In the unionist community I'd say it would be the opposite - agreement among sections, indifference among other sections with a minority saying it shouldn't happen and they should be prosecuted.

Why do you ask? Is that what the letters to the on the runs said or did they say that they were not currently being sought but if new evidence emerges they they may be sought for prosecution again?

[Myles Na G.]

What would the thoughts be if the army from Bloody Sunday are given letters to say that they will never be pursued for their crimes?

I'd imagine there'd be outrage amongst sections of the republican and nationalist community as well as a fair amount of indifference amongst some other sections. There'd also be a few who would agree with Peter Hain this morning when he said there's no point in pursuing the perpetrators with a view to seeking prosecution.

In the unionist community I'd say it would be the opposite - agreement among sections, indifference among other sections with a minority saying it shouldn't happen and they should be prosecuted.

Why do you ask? Is that what the letters to the on the runs said or did they say that they were not currently being sought but if new evidence emerges they they may be sought for prosecution again?

The content of the letters has been misrepresented by various unionist politicians, which has no doubt added to the distress of victims' families. They are not a get out of jail free card, they are not a pardon nor an amnesty. They say something to the effect that you are not currently being sought by authorities in Ireland or in GB, but that that situation could change in the future. With Downey there was a mistake, because he was being actively pursued by the Metropolitan Police. As with the flags issue, unionist politicians have stoked up fears and led their supporters up a blind alley. Peter Hain, amongst others, has pointed out everyone knew there was such a process even if they didn't know the detail. For unionists to claim that this was a secret deal and that they would never have accepted it had they known is just plain dishonesty.

[take_yer_points]

What would the thoughts be if the army from Bloody Sunday are given letters to say that they will never be pursued for their crimes?

I'd imagine there'd be outrage amongst sections of the republican and nationalist community as well as a fair amount of indifference amongst some other sections. There'd also be a few who would agree with Peter Hain this morning when he said there's no point in pursuing the perpetrators with a view to seeking prosecution.

In the unionist community I'd say it would be the opposite - agreement among sections, indifference among other sections with a minority saying it shouldn't happen and they should be prosecuted.

Why do you ask? Is that what the letters to the on the runs said or did they say that they were not currently being sought but if new evidence emerges they they may be sought for prosecution again?

The content of the letters has been misrepresented by various unionist politicians, which has no doubt added to the distress of victims' families. They are not a get out of jail free card, they are not a pardon nor an amnesty. They say something to the effect that you are not currently being sought by authorities in Ireland or in GB, but that that situation could change in the future. With Downey there was a mistake, because he was being actively pursued by the Metropolitan Police. As with the flags issue, unionist politicians have stoked up fears and led their supporters up a blind alley. Peter Hain, amongst others, has pointed out everyone knew there was such a process even if they didn't know the detail. For unionists to claim that this was a secret deal and that they would never have accepted it had they known is just plain dishonesty.

That's my understanding as well - I could be wrong though and am happy to be corrected if I am

[lawnseed]

If i'd been in downey's position the first thing i'd have done upon arrest is pull out my letter. Its seem the brit cops ignored this. Or which is more likely the whole case against downey was a setup in order to get the bloodly sunday soldiers similar letters which haine has now called for (coincidentally of course) obviously someone up the chain of command is sweating