Wanted ex-IRA leader makes appearance at conference

A FORMER Official IRA leader wanted in the US for forging millions of dollars made a public appearance yesterday at a meeting on the future of Europe.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Irish Workers Party chief Sean Garland in December after he failed to appear at a Belfast Court.

The 71-year-old was arrested in the city in October but subsequently released on bail on condition he lives with friends in the North.

His bail was later varied to allow him to return home to Navan, Co Meath, to undergo medical treatment.

He yesterday attended a conference in Dublin’s Mansion House on the future of Europe, organised by the Labour Party and the Party of European Socialists.

He criticised former Finance Minister and current Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy for his conservative policies.

Mr Garland also criticised the lack of resources to help left-of-centre politicians promote their policies on the EU.

He declined to speak to the media afterward.

Mr Garland was arrested in a Belfast hotel on the eve of his party’s annual conference in October.

He later appeared in court on foot of a US warrant alleging he had been involved in counterfeiting large quantities of $100 bills.

Labour Party spokesman on European affairs Ruairi Quinn said: “The People’s Dialogue is our effort to engage with the public on their views on how Europe can meet the concerns of its citizens.

“As such, the Dublin event is the first in a series of events to be held by PES member parties in a number of member states.”

Mr Quinn said the party wanted to hear issues most relevant to citizens in Europe following the French and Dutch ‘No’ votes to the constitution.

On the conference, he said: “This will help us find the policies that will unite the people of Europe.”