Collusion: ‘nodding dogs’ bark too late

IN 1995, Relatives For Justice (RFJ) — a group formed by people who had loved ones killed directly or indirectly by the British state — published a 57-page pamphlet entitled ‘Collusion’.

It raised serious questions about murders by unionist paramilitaries in the early 1990s. The media ignored this pamphlet.

I vividly remember in 1995 the hostility directed at RFJ members from the southern political establishment when we addressed the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. They didn’t want to know about Britain’s shoot-to-kill policy or its collusion with unionist murder gangs.

For these reasons I find the outrage now being expressed disgusting.

Of course, there are Southern politicians who feign concern. Martin Finucane, whose brother Pat was murdered by British agents, dubbed it the “nodding-dog syndrome”.

No doubt these nodding dogs, when they had the temerity to raise shoot-to-kill and collusion with their British betters, accepted their assurances that no such murderous practices were taking place.

Just like the Government accepts the assurances from President Bush and Condoleezza Rice that no prisoners are being flown through Shannon airport to Guantanamo, or worse.

It’s the same old story — but the truth will out.

Niall Farrell

Maree

Oranmore

Co Galway