16 May 2002 Edition
McMenamin attack dirty tricks
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said that it is now becoming abundantly clear that this despicable graffiti daubed on the wall of a local garage about SDLP Assembly member Eugene McMenamin is part of a twisted dirty tricks campaign aimed at undermining Sinn Féin.
"Those behind this campaign are attempting to create adverse publicity for Sinn Féin and republicans and obviously see attacking Eugene McMenamin as the perfect vehicle for doing so," said Doherty.
"As I have said before and I will say it again, those who are so readily pointing the finger at republicans must ask themselves what possible benefit could be derived from such attacks. For republicans such an attack would be completely wrong and completely counterproductive. Such attacks only play into the hands of those who have an anti-Sinn Féin, anti-republican agenda.
"There is a saying that 'nothing is ever what it seems' and this attack, like other recent incidents, falls firmly into this category.
"This type of activity is totally despicable but the motivation behind those who are carrying out such attacks is clearly anti-Sinn Féin, anti-republican."
"Those behind this campaign are attempting to create adverse publicity for Sinn Féin and republicans and obviously see attacking Eugene McMenamin as the perfect vehicle for doing so," said Doherty.
"As I have said before and I will say it again, those who are so readily pointing the finger at republicans must ask themselves what possible benefit could be derived from such attacks. For republicans such an attack would be completely wrong and completely counterproductive. Such attacks only play into the hands of those who have an anti-Sinn Féin, anti-republican agenda.
"There is a saying that 'nothing is ever what it seems' and this attack, like other recent incidents, falls firmly into this category.
"This type of activity is totally despicable but the motivation behind those who are carrying out such attacks is clearly anti-Sinn Féin, anti-republican."
