Editor denies reporter is terrorist

The editor of an Irish language newspaper based in Belfast today denied that one of its correspondents arrested on suspicion of training Palestinian militants in bomb-making techniques was a terrorist.

Sean O Muireagáin, 40, from west Belfast was arrested by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank at the weekend.

He is being questioned by the Shin Bet security agency about the extent of his links with militants who have been mounting a bombing campaign against Israel, according to security sources in Israel.

Republican sources said Mr O Muireagáin was among a group of Irish people acting as peace monitors for an international solidarity committee.

Ciarán O Pronntaigh, editor of Gaelic newspaper Lá, said Mr O Muireagáin had been out in Israel for three weeks and had submitted his first article about conditions in the Palestinian town of Jenin.

He denied that the well known Irish language activist was involved in terrorism.

“He is not what they are talking about, being a master bomber,” he said.

Mr O Pronntaigh added: “I had asked him to find out how people felt about the peace process.

“We were going to ask him today did he know anything about the Irishman that had been arrested and we found out later that it was him.

“We will be making representations to the Israeli authorities on his behalf,” he said.

Security sources in Northern Ireland have said they were not aware of the 40-year-old being involved in paramilitary activity.

There has been speculation the west Belfast man may have been the victim of mistaken identity, but Mr O Pronntaigh claimed it may have been a deliberate attempt by Israel to stifle any debate about the treatment of Palestinians.

“I would be dubious that this was a mistake. Perhaps they were trying to get rid of somebody who was seeing the Palestinian side. He was over on a fact finding mission and showing solidarity with the Palestinians,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian representative to Ireland, Ali Halimeh said he too was suspicious about the timing of the arrest.

Mr Halimeh, speaking as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived in London for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said the arrest could be aimed at discrediting the road map peace plan.

“I can assure you that we have no knowledge of this man. We have never had any contact with him and we see no reason for him being in that part of the world,” he said.

The arrest has been seized upon by unionists as further evidence that republicans were exporting their terror trade around the world.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the security sources should take a close look at the man and any alleged links to the Provisional IRA.

“It has been well known for some time that the IRA have strong links with Middle Eastern terrorism and Palestinians in particular,” he said.

Mr Donaldson added the arrest would further undermine confidence in the unionist community about the intentions of republicans.