Latest news with #MichaelMcDowell
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Michael McDowell pushed for British amnesty for IRA members without trial, UK files reveal
Michael McDowell argued as attorney general in 2000 that the British government could avoid a struggle to pass Westminster legislation to give 'on-the-run' IRA members an amnesty. Instead, Mr McDowell, who is now a member of Seanad Éireann, repeatedly suggested that the British could use a centuries-old law to grant pardons without prosecuting any of them. This seems to have been met with astonishment by British officials. The difficulties posed by Sinn Féin's demands for 'on-the-run' IRA members – some of whom were sought for offences such as murder – to be given guarantees features in British archive files released on Tuesday. The treatment of the IRA 'on the runs', better known simply as 'OTRs', became a major controversy in 2014 when it was revealed that nearly 300 IRA members had been given so-called 'comfort letters' saying they were not then wanted by British police. READ MORE The issue emerged in February 2014 when John Downey, an alleged IRA member, faced trial in London for the July 1982 Hyde Park bombing, which killed four British soldiers and seven horses. His Old Bailey trial collapsed when it emerged that he had received his comfort letter in 2007 even though there was an active warrant for his arrest. The trial judge halted the trial after ruling this was an abuse of process. Under Mr McDowell's proposal in 2000, which went farther than the comfort letter tactic later used, the British government would have been able, he said, to avoid bringing strongly opposed immunity legislation before Westminster. The idea 'first surfaced' at a meeting between Irish and British officials in Dublin in early November 2000 when the British side was told Mr McDowell believed London could grant 'pardons before convictions' to IRA members. The proposal was outlined in greater depth to the British side in November 2000 at 'a hastily arranged' meeting, where Mr McDowell was described in a British note as being 'quite a student of the English legal system, and admired its flexibility'. However, British officials doubted the idea from the off, saying a royal pardon could be used only after sentence, while a free pardon could expunge the effects of a conviction. Mr McDowell came back to his idea when he was included in the Irish delegation, which included Bertie Ahern , then taoiseach, which travelled from London with British prime minister Tony Blair for an EU meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, shortly afterwards. Here, Mr McDowell again argued that wanted IRA members could be given 'a prosecution amnesty', citing the decision by the British not to prosecute Soviet spy Anthony Blunt for treachery. 'His basic thesis seemed to be that our legal system was sufficiently flexible to allow immunity to be granted without the need for primary legislation,' the Northern Ireland Office's political director, Bill Jeffreys, told an official in the British attorney general's office. He said he had told Mr McDowell his proposal ran counter to the views of the British attorney general, who was 'unwilling' to give immunity to individuals on general public interest grounds. However, if Mr McDowell was arguing that the Northern Ireland secretary of state could 'pre-empt prosecution in a whole class of cases' then that would be 'an entirely new departure'. Widening the grounds for immunity 'seemed to me to run entirely against the trend, and would be very difficult to justify in today's conditions, when we would be expected to seek the necessary powers from parliament', Mr Jeffreys also said. Separately, the files also show the efforts Sinn Féin made to ensure leading IRA figures in the United States such as Gabriel Megahey would not be deported. Now, 25 years later, they are now facing fresh expulsion attempts by Donald Trump's administration. Bill Clinton , US president at the time, had wanted to 'tie off the loose end' created by the six men's issues before he left office, fearing the incoming George W Bush presidency would be less sympathetic. In 1997, US secretary of state Madeleine Albright 'persuaded the US attorney general to suspend deportation action' against the men on 'the foreign policy grounds that it would contribute to the NI political process'. The importance of the OTR issue to Sinn Féin is evident throughout the files, with the party's Gerry Kelly 'grumbling' to Northern Ireland Office officials 'that the lack of movement was causing Sinn Féin great difficulties'.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Chicago winners, losers: Bubba Wallace throws points away with Alex Bowman spat, late spin
Shane van Gisbergen wasn't always in the front in the Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race on July 6 at the Chicago street course, but he was always the best car. SVG passed Chase Briscoe for the lead with 12 laps to go, then held off Ty Gibbs and AJ Allmendinger on two final restarts to earn his second win of the Cup Series season. SVG led only 26 of 75 laps, but that was due to pit strategy in the first two stages. It was an otherwise dominating performance in the second half of the race for the driver of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. SVG's dominance was only thwarted early by Michael McDowell, who led the first 31 laps before having to go to the garage with a throttle issue. Here are the winners and losers from the NASCAR Chicago street race on July 6: OUCH: Carson Hocevar crash forces early pileup in NASCAR Chicago street race, collects Brad Keselowski NASCAR Chicago winners and losers: SVG dominates again in the Chicago streets Winner: The SVG Cup Series experience Not enough credit has been given to Trackhouse for getting Shane van Gisbergen in a Cup car at this course two years ago, and moreso for progressing SVG from that Chicago win in 2023 to a full-time Cup driver with multiple wins in 2025. SVG will have every opportunity to make it out of the round of 16 in the playoffs with the amount of playoff points he has already earned, and with two more road courses left in the regular season. It's not inconceivable that SVG goes into the playoffs with the most (or tied for the most) wins from the regular season. In the era of playoff points and win-and-in, SVG has more value than any other driver outside the top 10 in the points standings. And looking ahead to the playoffs, the Charlotte Roval is at the end of the Round of 12. So if SVG advances from the first round of the playoffs, watch out. Winner: The playoff bubble SVG's victory was a reprieve for Chris Buescher and Alex Bowman after challenging weekends through the streets of Chicago. Bowman, the defending race champion, had to start at the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments, and twice had to drive into the top 10 on a differing pit strategy. After a tangle with Bubba Wallace late in the race, Bowman finished eighth and held onto a playoff spot just ahead of the cutline, 39 points to the good. Buescher started in the top five, had a power issue, lost a lap while repairing the issue, got back on the lead lap and finished 18th. Both drivers would have appreciated a stronger results day on Sunday, but sometimes it's the better results from bad circumstances that help on the playoff bubble. SVG holding off bubble busters Ty Gibbs and AJ Allmendinger for the win helped too. Loser: Bubba Wallace Wallace's challenging weekend nearly had a positive ending — until he got the worst end of a late-race duel with Alex Bowman. Wallace spun with six laps to go across the bumper of Bowman, ruining what had been quite the recovery for the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota. The veteran driver started at the rear of the field after unapproved adjustments, worked up into the top 20 by the middle of Stage 2, spun to put him back outside the top 30, then drove into the top 10 with the help of pit strategy on the final run. But as Bowman and Wallace wrestled for position in the top 10 (with contact being made multiple times), Wallace's spin had a direct impact on his race result. Wallace had to settle for a 28th-place finish, a blow to his standing near the playoff cutoff line. Wallace now sits two points ahead of Ryan Preece for the final playoff spot heading into Sonoma next weekend. Loser: Spire Motorsports Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar were the two big stories of the first 30 laps of the race, and neither driver had a satisfying ending to the day. Hocevar's day ended quickly, pinballing off of two separate walls before spinning across the field in Lap 3, collecting six other cars. Hocevar finished 35th, again finding the bad result out of a fast car after starting inside top 10. McDowell led the first 31 laps of the race (including a Stage 1 victory) before having to go behind the wall with a throttle issue. McDowell finished in 32nd, but he had the car to stay ahead of SVG through the first 40% of the race. My bet, presuming neither McDowell nor Hocevar win to get into the playoffs: One of the two Spire drivers will win a race during the playoffs without the pressure of a playoff berth looming over them. Spire Motorsports is fast enough to win. But can their equipment make it to the end of one of these races, and can their drivers get their cars there? This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Chicago winners, losers: Bubba Wallace throws points away
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Senator 'shocked' garda facing criminal charges after making protected disclosures of malpractice
Criminal and disciplinary proceedings have been taken against gardaí who have raised concerns about malpractice in the organisation, it has been claimed. Senator Michael McDowell told the Senate on Thursday a senior garda 'of the upmost integrity' had been sidelined because he made a number of protected disclosures. The former justice minister also said a junior member of the force 'is facing criminal charges on indictment which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section". The senior garda referenced by Senator McDowell is Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly, who oversaw the Garda Technical Bureau until 2023. Last month, at Dublin Circuit Court, counsel for Det Supt O'Reilly claimed he had been financially penalised because he made protected disclosures about concerns he had with Garda practices and how the force had responded to concerns over a controversial gun holster. Issues around the holster surfaced in 2020 when a garda was injured outside the Israeli ambassador's residence in Dublin when his firearm was discharged. Six days later, Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead by Stephen Silver in Castlerea after Silver managed to get hold of the garda's weapon. Det Supt O'Reilly is understood to have made protected disclosures related to how these incidents were investigated and dealt with by management. The circuit court heard Dep Supt O'Reilly, who had been acting for a number of years as a chief superintendent, had gone on work-related sickness in April 2023 as a result of the concerns he raised. Later, his income was cut to half pay and he was applying to the court have his full salary restored, an application that is being opposed by An Garda Síochána. A decision on the case is expected in the autumn. The junior garda referenced is Luke Rochford, a former Garda firearms specialist accused of possessing nearly 4,000 rounds of ammunition and stealing military weapons parts from the Defence Forces. KRW Law issued a statement welcoming Mr McDowell's intervention and endorsing his calls 'for increased scrutiny on serious issues around gardaí irregularities'. 'We act on behalf of a former serving Garda officer who acted as a whistleblower on serious irregularities within the armoury section of gardaí on defective holsters and other linked matters. "As a result, he found himself the subject of a contrived prosecution taken in a bid to silence him. Our client will fully contest the charges levied against him and looks forward to a jury trial when he can give his account of serious internal wrongdoing,' the statement said. Senator Michael McDowell: 'Anyone who thinks that the culture in An Garda Síochána has been transformed by the outcome of the Disclosures Tribunal concerning Sergeant Maurice McCabe, is, I fear, gravely mistaken.' Senator McDowell and Labour party TD Alan Kelly have been raising in the Senate and Dáil, respectively, related issues around malpractice centred on the garda armoury. However, this is the first time there has been an allegation that criminal prosecutions have been taken against a member of the force because they effectively blew a whistle. Mr McDowell also told the Senate about what he called the 'falsification of documents submitted by An Garda Síochána to the Department of Justice designed to facilitate the importation of firearms for civilians who are not gardaí.' This was reference to a case published in the Irish Examiner earlier this month about a senior garda who organised for the repair and importation of firearm parts for a gun club under the guise the weapons were for Garda use. An application was made to the department to import the parts on that basis, yet when completed and repaired, the firearms were returned to the gun club, with the cost accruing to the Garda budget. In his address on Thursday, the senator claimed 'senior management in An Garda Síochána is aware of all these matters'. 'Anyone who thinks that the culture in An Garda Síochána has been transformed by the outcome of the Disclosures Tribunal concerning Sergeant Maurice McCabe, is, I fear, gravely mistaken. I am shocked by what I have learned,' he told the house. He called for a debate in the house on the whole matter with the attendance of the minister for justice. The Garda press office has been contacted for comment.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Whistleblower welcomes call to have debate over defective gun holsters
A former garda who made protected disclosures about alleged defective gun holsters previously worn by armed officers, has welcomed a call by a senator to have an urgent debate in parliament about the 'grave issues'. Speaking through his solicitor Kevin Winters, the former garda said he is 'greatly encouraged' by Senator Michael McDowell's call to have the issues brought into the public domain. Advertisement The former garda, who is not yet being named, is also taking High Court action against his former employers. Issues around defective gun holsters have been previously raised in the Dáil. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said in March that he met the family of murdered garda Det Garda Colm Horkan. The 49-year-old, who was originally from Charlestown, was murdered while on duty in 2020. Advertisement He was shot several times with his own gun on June 17th, 2020 in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. In an separate incident, the Dail heard about an accidental discharge of an officially issued garda firearm that occurred outside the Israeli Embassy on June 11 2020, just under a week before Mr Horkan's death. The discharge resulted in life-changing injuries to the garda. Labour TD Alan Kelly said forensic experts attached to the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) discovered that the holster could engage the trigger and 'fire the weapon of its own accord'. Advertisement Michael McDowell criticised the 'gross mistreatment' of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters (Brian Lawless/PA) On Thursday, Mr McDowell called for a full debate on 'certain grave issues' relating to the armoury section of An Garda Síochána, as well as the 'misuse' of protected disclosures and issues concerning the procurement of defective ammunition. In a statement, a spokesman for KRW Law, which acts for the former garda officer who is also before the court charged in connection with a separate criminal matter, said their client will fully contest the charges. 'Earlier this year, he issued a High Court plenary summons against his former employers seeking damages for the loss, distress and anxiety he's been subjected to over the past few years,' the statement added. 'He is greatly encouraged today following the call made by Senator Michael McDowell SC in the Seanad for these thematically linked issues to be brought into the public domain.' Advertisement Human rights solicitor Kevin Winters said: 'We fully endorse Senator McDowell's call for increased scrutiny on serious issues around gardaí irregularities. 'We have spoken with our client this morning following the comments made and we are pleased to report he is greatly encouraged with what he's heard. 'It had been a lonely and difficult journey for him to get to this point. 'He's been ostracised and vilified for taking a firm stand on what he sees as serious wrongdoing. Advertisement 'It means an awful lot to him to hear someone of the stature of Senator McDowell refer to him as an officer of 'the utmost good character … facing charges which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section'. 'Following today's significant call by the senator we now call upon the DPP (Director of Public Prosecution) to review its decision to persist with the indictment against our client. 'Using the criminal justice system to try and silence an honest gardaí officer is not a good look. We wholeheartedly endorse this morning's call for our client's case to be brought into the public domain together with an urgent debate later in September.' On Thursday, Mr McDowell criticised the 'gross mistreatment' of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters. He told the Seanad: 'There is clear evidence that criminal and disciplinary processes have been launched to conceal major misfeasance and shortcomings in the management of the garda armoury. 'A senior garda officer of the utmost integrity has been sidelined for his part in raising these matters. A junior member of An Garda Síochána of the utmost good character is facing criminal charges on indictment which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section. 'Senior management in An Garda Siochana is aware of all these matters. 'Anyone who thinks that the culture in An Garda Síochána has been transformed by the outcome of the Disclosures Tribunal concerning Sgt Maurice McCabe is, I fear, gravely mistaken. I am shocked by what I have learned. 'These matters need to be brought into the public domain and an urgent debate is required when this House resumes in September.' An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Claims Ireland is anti-Semitic 'defamatory and untrue'- Senator McDowell
Claims that Ireland is anti-Semitic are 'defamatory and untrue', Senator Michael McDowell has said. The US Ambassador to Israel, Mick Huckabee, launched a scathing attack against the Irish Government for progressing the Occupied Territories Bill. The bill would prohibit trade between the State and Israel's illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories. Mr Huckabee called the bill, which was introduced by Independent Senator Frances Black, 'so stupid' and asked if it could be attributed to an act of 'diplomatic intoxication'. Taking to X, he wrote: 'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness & propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to an act of diplomatic intoxication? It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up Ireland!' He then asked Ireland to call the Israel Foreign Ministry to 'say sorry'. This comes as former minister for justice Alan Shatter heavily criticised the bill as it was given consideration at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. As a member of the Ireland Israel Alliance, the former Fine Gael TD repeatedly referred to the bill as a 'Father Ted' measure. He also compared it to how the Jews were targeted during the Second World War. In the Seanad yesterday, Senator McDowell said claims that Ireland, its Government, or its Houses of Parliament were motivated by, or amounted, to anti-Semitism 'were grossly defamatory and untrue'. He added: 'Our position on Gaza is shared by many Israeli Jews, including a former Israeli Prime Minister. It is simply defamatory and untrue to assert that Ireland's position on Gaza and recognition of the Palestinian state was motivated by anti-Semitism or hatred of Jews.' Many US politicians have been highly critical of the bill in recent days, including Republic senator Lindsey Graham. He said: 'I hope that Ireland will reconsider their efforts to economically isolate Israel, as they are in a fight for their very existence. 'I do not believe these efforts would be well received in the United States and they certainly would not go unnoticed.' Republican congressman Pete Stauber said Ireland 'must reconsider' the Occupied Territories bill. Taking to X, he wrote: 'Ireland is making a serious mistake. Banning the import of goods from Israeli businesses operating in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is not only antisemitic, but it also has serious ramifications for American businesses.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
