BODY OF TEEN KILLED IN US TO BE LAID TO REST 180 YEARS LATER

Mar2

THE body of a Donegal teenager killed in the US more than 180 years ago is to be finally laid to rest today in his native parish. John Ruddy (18) was one of 57 workers killed or possibly murdered while working on a railway in Philadelphia in 1832.

Last year's burial service for the Duffy's Cut victims in Pennsylvania

Last year’s burial service for the Duffy’s Cut victims in Pennsylvania

In a poignant homecoming, the teenager’s remains – which have been positively identified through DNA testing – will be buried in his native Ardara today. With workers from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone, Ruddy sailed from Derry for a new life in the US in May 1832. Just three months later, he was dead and had been laid in an unmarked grave at Duffy’s Cut, just outside the city of Philadelphia. In the 1990′s, two brothers, Professor William Watson and Lutheran clergyman, Rev Dr Frank Watson started to research the deaths of the 57 workers. Seven remains were eventually exhumed, all of which showed signs of a violent death. It is believed the workers either died in a cholera outbreak or were murdered to prevent them leaving Duffy’s Cut. Of the seven remains exhumed, the body of Mr Ruddy was the only one positively identified. The six other bodies, including a women, were re-interred following a funeral service in the US. The teenager will be buried in a grave at the Church of the Holy Family in Ardara. The grave was purchased by Donegal native Vincent Gallagher. Mr Gallagher, who lives in the US, said the teenager and his co-workers were treated like ” garbage “. The re-interment funeral service will take place at 2pm. Prof Watson and Rev Watson are expected to travel from the US for the service.

WITH MANY THANKS TO : SEAMUS McKINNEY,IRISH NEWS.

Donegal welcome home Duffy’s Cut murder victim John Ruddy after 180 years (irishcentral.com)
Duffy’s Cut murder victim’s remains brought home to Donegal after 180 years (irishcentral.com)
19th-century Pa. immigrant reburied in Ireland (seattletimes.com)
19th-century Pa. immigrant reburied in Ireland (kvue.com)
19th-century Pa. immigrant reburied in Ireland (ktvb.com)
19th-century Pa. immigrant reburied in Ireland (khou.com)

REPUBLICAN GRANTED BAIL

Mar2

HUGHES CHARGED WITH OFFENCES LINKED TO MURDER OF McCARTNEY

Sean Gerard Hughes and Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy

Mr Hughes (left) is also charged with speaking at a meeting and encouraging support for an illegal organisation

A SENIOR republican charged with offences connected to the murder of Robert McCartney must not contact any witnesses in the case, a court ordered yesterday. The prohibition was placed on Sean Hughes as part of conditions under which he was granted bail.

Hughes (51) - nicknamed ‘The Surgeon‘, of Aghadavoyle Road, Jonesborough in South Armagh, is charged with IRA membership and addressing a meeting to encourage support for the illegal organisation. The offences, said to have been committed eight years ago, are linked to an alleged IRA internal investigation following the killing of Mr McCartney.

Mr McCartney was stabbed outside Magennis's bar in Belfast

Mr McCartney was stabbed outside Magennis’s bar in Belfast

The 33-year-old father-of-two, from Belfast’s Short Strand was stabbed to death outside a city centre bar, pictured, in 2005. His sisters and partner waged a high-profile campaign claiming the republican movement was involved in a cover up. Hughes is the second leading republican to be arrested in connection with the case. Padraic Wilson (53), from Andersontown in West Belfast, faces similar charges. During a previous court appearance a magistrate was told that the McCartney family had made fresh statements in regards to a meeting held with two men who identified themselves as members of the IRA ‘ army council ‘.

When Mr Wilson, a former leader of the IRA prisoners in the Maze, was charged last November and remanded in custody members of Sinn Fein reacted angrily. When is Political Policing Not Political Policing ? A protest was held at police headquarters in east Belfast demanding his release. The veteran republican was later released on bail. Neither man is accused of having anything to do with the murder and both deny the charges. At Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday, a Sinn Fein delegation including Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy was present as Hughes made his first appearance. Prosecutors revealed that bail had been agreed in the case. District Judge Mervyn Bates agreed to release the accused on certain conditions. Hughes is to stay at his bail address, report to police weekly and must not attempt to contact prosecution witnesses or complainants. A £1,000 surety is also to be lodged as part of the arrangements. Hughes is due to appeal again alongside his co-accused on March 15. Outside the court Mr Murphy hit out at the decision to charge Hughes. ” This isn’t about justice for the family of Robert McCartney or attempting to prosecute those who killed him,” he said. ” This is simply political policing. It’s a nonsense.”

WITH MANY THANKS TO : IRISH NEWS.

Detectives arrest ‘The Surgeon’ in connection with IRA’s probe into killing of Robert McCartney (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Kennedy to meet Baggott over ‘political policing’ (newsletter.co.uk)
Republican bailed over McCartney probe must not contact witnesses (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Man arrested over McCartney murder (bbc.co.uk)
Are Ira ‘ Hit Squads ‘ Back in Action Asks Maginness ? (seachranaidhe1.wordpress.com)
Man, 51, faces terror-type charges (bbc.co.uk)
McCartney murder police arrest man (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Police question IRA commander over Robert McCartney murder (guardian.co.uk)

British 'War Diary' Suggests Possible MRF Role In Effort To Kill Brendan Hughes While London Buries Secret Military Files For 100 Years

Mar2

Reblogged from The Broken Elbow:

By Ed Moloney & Bob Mitchell

It was one of the most compelling and gripping episodes to feature in the series of interviews that Brendan Hughes gave to Boston College about his life in the IRA. The story of the frenzied attempt to kill him in his native lower Falls area by plainclothes British soldiers in the early 1970's illustrated several defining aspects of Hughes' life as an IRA activist and later as one of its leaders.

Put your profile in shadow in support of the forgotten women of the War on Terror

Mar2

Reblogged from Pluto Press - Independent Progressive Publishing:

For 10 years Victoria Brittain has been visiting with the wives and families of Guantanamo detainees, and men in prison or under house arrest in the UK and US. Her new book, Shadow Lives: The Forgotten Women of the War on Terror (Pluto, 2013), reveals the War on Terror through women’s eyes, in an exposé of the perilous state of freedom and democracy in our society.

How Can The Irish State Ignore The Wishes Of 41% Of Its Citizens?

Mar2

Reblogged from An Sionnach Fionn:

An article in the Irish Times by Seán Tadgh Ó Gairbhí examining the reaction of people in Ireland to the texting in the Irish language by the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is well worth reading. As are the many Comments underneath. Some are positive. Some are simply depressing.

“On Monday night, Chris Hadfield became the nation’s favourite Canadian astronaut when he tweeted a picture of Ireland from space accompanied by a message in Irish – “Tá Éire fíorálainn!”

DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER ATTENDS HEARING ON BEHALF OF PRICE

Mar2

DEPUTY First Minister Martin McGuinness has attended a hearing by Parole Commissioners on behalf of Marian Price who was sent back to jail after her licence was revoked for IRA offences in England 40 years ago.

Then Secretary of State Owen Patterson revoked her life sentence licence after Price was charged over a dissident republican rally in Derry’s City Cemetery in Easter 2011. She is also facing separate charges of providing a mobile phone for a terrorist purpose in March 2009 shortly before two soldiers were shot dead at Massereene barracks in Antrim. The 58-year-old is now under armed guard at Belfast City Hospital where she is being treated for depression, arthritis and lung problems. Last month she was granted three hours ‘ compassionate bail to attend the wake of her sister Dolours, who along with Marian Price – whose married name is McGlinchey – and MLA Gerry Kelly – was part of an IRA unit which bombed London in 1973.

Yesterday, at a closed court in the Laganside complex in Belfast, Parole Commissioners listened to submissions from Marian Price’s lawyers who argued that she should be released. A spokesman for the commissioners said they could not make any comment on the hearing. As he left the court, Mr McGuinness also said he could not say anything about what happened behind closed doors. It is understood he visited Price in hospital yesterday morning. It is not known when the commissioners will make their ruling on Price’s case.

WITH MANY THANKS TO : IRISH NEWS.