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20 November 1997 Edition

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Back issue: Death of a Butcher

In executing a UVF leader Lennie Murphy, the `Master Butcher', on Tuesday evening, the IRA has eliminated a sadistic killer who claimed his last victim, Joseph Donegan, less than one month ago.

It has also reaffirmed its ability to gather intelligence and operate effectively even in the most hostile areas.

The IRA has also, in claiming the killing, reiterated that it has no part in random sectarian attacks, but will selectively hunt down, wherever possible, those who are responsible for, and actively direct, sectarian onslaughts against the nationalist community.

The horrific bestiality of the killings which Murphy and his associates specialise in cannot be dismissed as mere criminal depravity without recognising the political motivation behind them.

Their very ferocity and random nature was designed to strike terror into the hearts of the nationalist people and cow them into submission.

For that reason, the British involve themselves in, encourage and tolerate, to different degrees at different times, such loyalist attacks as part of their `low intensity operations' in attempting to subdue a risen people.

18 November 1982 An Phoblacht


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland