Tánaiste’s refusal to meet family of Councillor Eddie Fullerton a ‘disgrace’

THE REFUSAL by Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Joan Burton to meet the family of Donegal County Councillor Eddie Fullerton is a “disgrace”, Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has said.

Sinn Féin Councillor Eddie Fullerton was shot dead at his Buncrana family home in May 1991 in an assassination claimed by the Ulster Defence Association. The UDA killers are suspected of working in collusion with the RUC and British Military Intelligence.

● Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD beside a photo of Eddie Fullerton on the Sinn Féin corridor in Leinster House

An angry Pádraig Mac Lochlainn – who is also Sinn Féin’s Justice spokesperson – said on Wednesday just after receiving the letter from the Tánaiste:

“Two weeks ago, during Leader’s Questions, I had asked the Tánaiste to meet with the Fullerton family to discuss the Irish Government’s approach and plan of action to deal with the issue of British state collusion and to listen to the Fullerton family’s concerns regarding circumstance leading to his murder and the subsequent investigation by gardaí.

“I have since written to the Tánaiste to seek to arrange a convenient time. I have now received a reply from the Tánaiste’s office to inform me that the Tánaiste is too busy to meet with the family.

“I think her excuse is a disgrace.”

“The Fullerton family has demonstrated remarkable courage and huge dignity. Despite the deep hurt caused to the family by the events that occurred and the dismissive attitudes of state authorities during that period, they have been relentless in their campaign for the truth. They deserve that truth and I don’t believe that Tánaiste Burton couldn’t find the time to help the family get to this truth.”