| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Prominent Republican kidnapped, nearly murdered by provos Date: Saturday, February 21, 2004 Bobby Tohill has since discharged himself from hospital due to fears he would be murdered by provos. More news to follow soon. ----------------------------------------- BBC News Dissident was 'abducted by IRA'
Members of
the Provisional IRA kidnapped a prominent dissident republican in
Belfast, the chief constable has said. Bobby Tohill was found injured in a van
which was stopped by police officers in Castle Street, in the city
centre, shortly before 1800 GMT on Friday. Four other men, who were also in the van,
were arrested during the extensive security operation. Two more people were arrested on
Saturday. It is not clear what kind of injuries Mr
Tohill sustained, but he is said to be in a stable condition in
hospital. Chief Constable Hugh Orde, who met senior
officers to discuss the matter, said he had no doubt who was behind the
kidnapping. "The activity last night was
Provisional IRA activity, I'm clear on that," he said. "I'm also clear, as we have said
quite recently, that the punishment beatings that go on in republican
areas are also carried out by the Provisional IRA."
He added: "What we're talking about was an operation last night by
uniformed officers from a local police station, who arrested people who
we would say are connected to the Provisional IRA." The police said no shots were fired at or
from within the van. BBC Northern Ireland security editor
Brian Rowan said the chief constable had made it clear that decisions on
ceasefires were not a matter for him. "But in the past 24 hours he has
pointed to continuing paramilitary violence on both sides," he
said. "Yesterday he linked the UDA to
murder, beatings, drugs and other criminal activities and now he has put
the IRA inside the frame in connection with yesterday's abduction."
The Northern Ireland Office said the
incident was an "example of the kind of behaviour the prime
minister has described as completely unacceptable, and paramilitary
behaviour of any kind must come to an end." In a statement, Sinn Fein said details of
the incident were not clear. It added: "Sinn Fein's position on
this kind of activity is very clear. We have consistently opposed it and
will continue to do so." Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said
the incident "underlines the on-going problem of paramilitarism in
society".
He added: "The republican political leadership needs to make it
clear as to where it stands and where the republican movement as a whole
stands on such activity." SDLP Assembly member for West Belfast
Alex Attwood said: "All criminal activity and violence must end,
and be seen to end." "All violence must stop. There is no
basis for a private army and we all need to see this," he said. The DUP's Ian Paisley junior said
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy must shut Sinn Fein out of the
political process. He said: "Sinn Fein/IRA are calling
to be included in the government of Northern Ireland and yet it appears
that the PIRA are engaged in terrorist activities." BBC Ireland correspondent Denis Murray
said: "This comes at a time when the republican movement says it's
holding up its end of the peace process. "But it demonstrates that it's still
highly active as an organised illegal army." The Millfield area was completely closed
to traffic during the security operation, from the junction at Peters
Hill with North Street to Divis Street. ------------------------------- Belfast Telegraph ************************************************ |
