THE JUSTICE MINISTER has released a statement this evening, reiterating his position that any threats made by criminal terrorist groups are “completely unacceptable” and will be met with the “full rigours of the law”.
However, Alan Shatter would not be drawn on reports today about an alleged incident in Limerick yesterday.
He said that he had been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the event in the city at the weekend was being “fully investigated”.
“As the nature of the remarks reported to have been made will form part of that investigation, the Minister does not propose to make any specific comment on them at this stage,” he continued.
According to the Irish Independent, Limerick Leader and other sources, a message was read on behalf of Continuity IRA prisoners at Portlaoise Prison during a commemoration of Seán South. It is understood the statement indicated that any Irish person who joined the British Army would be a ‘legitimate target’.
Republican Sinn Féin has moved to distance itself from the investigation. In a statement tonight, it said that no such message was read out during its commemoration.
Republican Sinn Féin wish to correct the report carried on RTÉ television’s Six One news this evening (7 January). The commemoration referred to in the report was not organised by Republican Sinn Féin. Republican Sinn Féin held its own Seán Sabhat commemoration in Limerick on 6 January. Further we wish to point out that no statement such as that referred to in the news report was read out at the Republican Sinn Féin commemoration.
It is unclear at what gathering the remarks were made.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say