Pádraic Wilson arrest – ‘Bogus and politically motivated’

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

'Pádraic Wilson's arrest represents a very serious challenge to the political process. It has nothing at all to do with delivering justice for the McCartney family.'

THE “bogus and politically motivated charges” keeping leading republican Pádraic Wilson in custody are part of an agenda by an “old guard” in the police and security services resisting change and they must be withdrawn, Sinn Féin Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly MLA has said.

A PSNI detective told Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday that Pádraic Wilson took part in a meeting with the sisters of Robert McCartney, who was stabbed to death outside a Belfast pub in 2005.

The court was told police were not connecting Pádraic Wilson to the murder of Robert McCartney. He was, nevertheless, remanded in custody accused of IRA membership and addressing a meeting encouraging support for the IRA.

Speaking at Stormont on Monday as Sinn Féin staged a protest at PSNI Headquarters, Gerry Kelly said the “old guard” fightback within the police and security/intelligence services include:

● The RUC role in the cover-up about who was responsible for the McGurk’s Bar bombing in 1971;

●  The activities of SOCA (Serious Organised Crime Agency);

●  The blocking of inquests;

●  Obstruction of the work of the Police Ombudsman’s office;

● The “retiring and rehiring debacle in which old guard RUC officers who retired with significant financial pay-offs” were re-employed and allocated to investigations relating to historical enquiries.

“The arrest and charging of Pádraic Wilson is but the latest manifestation of lingering negative elements within the PSNI which must be removed,” Gerry Kelly said.

“The agenda pursued by these individuals is political. It is designed to undermine the change agenda and the political process and to reverse the progress we continue to make.   

“There is a particular opposition located within the Serious Crime Department which must be challenged. We will continue to challenge them and we insist that  those within the senior ranks of the PSNI,  in particular Chief Constable Matt Baggot,  do likewise."

Gerry Kelly pointed out that, throughout the mid-1990s and up until his release in 2000,  Pádraic Wilson played a pivotal role in building support among prisoners for the Peace Process. 

“Since his release he has continued to play a central role in supporting and developing the political process,” Gerry Kelly said.

“His arrest represents a very serious challenge to the political process. It has nothing at all to do with delivering justice for the McCartney family.”