Priest attacks 'bullets and iron-bar terrorists' (HONESTY ABOUT NORTHERN IRELAND ALERT)

A leading Roman Catholic priest has spoken out against terrorists who persecute ordinary people in Northern Ireland with "bullets and iron bars" and the politicians who fail to challenge them.

This position is not only factually correct, but also very brave. He should be complimented - Ivan

Mgr Denis Faul, parish priest of Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, has been criticised by the IRA and Government ministers for his forthright views on the Troubles and those he held responsible for prolonging them.

In a letter to The Telegraph today, he praises Danny McBrearty, the bus driver injured in a suspected IRA punishment attack and his family's defiance of death threats to protest about the forced exile of Mr McBrearty's nephew, Joseph McCloskey.

Martin McGuinness, the education minister and Sinn Fein MP, has broke his silence over the attack on Mr McBrearty, 54, who was shot in front of a group of pensioners in Londonderry. Mr McGuinness, who has been challenged by Mr McBrearty's family to put an end to an IRA campaign against them, condemned the shooting.

It is the first time he has spoken about the IRA intimidation of Mr McBrearty and his family, despite a public protest outside his office.

"I am deeply concerned about the attack in Derry which left Danny McBrearty badly injured and about the trauma caused to passengers travelling on the bus which Mr McBrearty was driving.

"I want to make my position on this attack absolutely clear. It was wrong and should not have happened," he said.

Mr McGuinness spoke after the police confirmed that initial investigations indicated it was the Provisional IRA who had attacked Mr McBrearty. His statement did not deal with that allegation.

Mgr Faul has a long record of denouncing the gunmen of both sides. He has been labelled "Thatcher's priest" by the Provisional IRA, while Tory ministers criticised him for holding Mass for Maze prisoners.

He said yesterday he had been consistent in his condemnation of the terror and intimidation of the gunmen in Northern Ireland for 30 years.

The priest, who has been working to secure Mr McCloskey's return to the province for 18 months, said the way the republican terrorists were behaving was akin to fascism.

"It's all about control and fear. These things are done to terrify the community. What these men say when they do these attacks is; 'Don't tell the police or the press'. Politicians and churchmen should be condemning these things by name. These terrorists are behaving like the mafia."

Of the attack on Mr McBrearty, he writes: "Hardly anybody in Northern Ireland has the courage to speak out against the republican bullets and iron bars which control Catholic districts in continuous violation of the Mitchell principles. The loyalists do the same for their unfortunate people."

First Long Kesh escape

THE ESCAPE from Long Kesh in early February 1972, of Francis McGuigan, within days of the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry, was an important morale booster for the nationalist population throughout the Six Counties.

Of the 342 people arrested during the internment swoops of Monday 9 August 1971, fewer than 60 had anything to do with the IRA. While some IRA Volunteers were arrested after ignoring warnings to stay away from their homes, others, such as McGuigan, were just unlucky.

McGuigan had slept away from his home and avoided the initial swoops, but when the swoops seemed to be over, he went down to a house to get a cup of tea and to make contact with the brigade and was arrested by British troops. His arrest was one of the most serious losses for the IRA's Belfast Brigade.

In Long Kesh, where the internees were held since September 1971, security was tightened following an attempted mass-escape from the camp in November, the escape from Crumlin Road Jail of Martin Meehan, Anthony `Dutch' Doherty and Hugh McCann in December, and the embarrassing escape of seven internees - ``the Magnificent Seven'' - from the Maidstone Prison ship in Belfast Lough on 16 January 1972.

The internees in Long Kesh concentration camp were always on the look-out for a chance to escape. In early February 1972, an ideal opportunity presented itself when a group of priests visited the camp to meet the internees. McGuigan immediately saw his chance to escape to freedom.

Towards the end of the visit as the clerics were preparing to leave, McGuigan dressed in black and, wearing a clerical collar, mingled with the priests and calmly walked with the group to freedom.

The escape of McGuigan, a well-known republican from Ardoyne in Belfast, the first internee to break-out of Long Kesh, was an enormous boost for the IRA and its supporters. As with the escape of Meehan, Doherty and McCann, the press were the first to know of the escape. They were informed by McGuigan's mother that her son was safe, even before the camp commandant realised he was missing. He was soon over the border and later appeared at a press conference in Dublin along with the `Magnificent Seven', much to the embarrassment of the Stormont regime.

In a heated debate at Stormont, the Home Affairs Minister, John Taylor, was forced to admit that it had taken 18 hours to discover McGuigan's escape. This was because ``it wasn't possible, without the assistance of the army, to have periodic roll-calls or even headcounts at Long Kesh. Needless to say, the internees do not co-operate in such exercises''.

Later that month McGuigan, along with representatives of other Irish political organisations, gave evidence before the Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee of the House of Representatives in Washington on the situation in the Six Counties. They also appeared at numerous press conferences in Europe throughout the following months while on a publicity tour to explain the republican position.

Denis Faul swapped clothes with McGuigan and remained in his cell for 18 hrs.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn*.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

OFFICER BRIAN SAMUEL ARMOUR
Officer, HMP Maze
Died 04-10-1988
Officer Armour was a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from September 1974 until 4 October 1988. He was travelling alone when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car.
Officer Armour’s daughter, Mrs Dawn Ferguson, accepted the medal.

OFFICER WILLIAM CECIL BURNS
Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 30-12-1980
Officer Burns was a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from February 1978 until his murder on 30 December 1980. He was shot outside his house as he was preparing to leave for work.
Officer Burns’ widow Margaret Burns accepted the medal.

OFFICER MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER CASSIDY
Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 16-04-1979
Officer Cassidy was a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from February 1973 until 16 April 1979. He was attending his sister’s wedding and was leaving the church with his wife and two young children when he was shot.
Officer Cassidy’s son Damien accepted the medal.

OFFICER ELIZABETH MATILDA CHAMBERS
Officer, HMP Armagh
Died 07-10-1982
Officer Chambers joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in April 1976 and served for over 6 years until her death on 7 October 1982. She was an Officer in Armagh Prison prior to her death. She was unmarried and lived with her parents. Miss Chambers was killed when she became caught up in a terrorist attack on a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. The soldier’s and Miss Chambers’ cars collided, resulting in her death.
Officer Chambers’ mother Mrs Jean Chambers accepted the medal.

OFFICER PACHELLI DILLON
Officer, HMP Magilligan
Died 08-04-1976
Officer Dillon was a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from 8 September 1975 until his murder on 8 April 1976. He was shot from a passing van while getting into his car outside his home. Mr Dillon was the first serving prison officer to be killed.
Officer Dillon’s widow Mrs Teresa Dillon accepted the medal.

OFFICER THOMAS GRAHAM FENTON
Officer, HMP Magilligan
Died 22-07-1977
Officer Fenton was a member of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from October 1976 until 22 July 1977 when he was shot.
Officer Fenton’s mother Mrs Edna Fenton accepted the medal.

OFFICER JAMES ANDREW FERRIS
Officer, HMP Maze
Died 25-09-1983
Officer Ferris joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in April 1975 and served for over 8 years until his death on 25 September 1983. At the time of his death he was an Officer in Maze prison. While trying to prevent the mass escape of prisoners, Mr Ferris suffered a heart attack after being stabbed by an inmate. He left a widow and two dependant children. Officer Ferris’ son James Ferris accepted the medal.

OFFICER GEORGE FOSTER
Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 14-09-1979
Officer Foster joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in November 1977 and served for almost two years until his death on 14 September 1979. He was an Officer in Belfast Prison at the time of his death. Mr Foster was returning to the prison after lunch when the attack took place. He was travelling by car with three colleagues when shots were fired from another car. Mr Foster was killed and one of his colleagues injured. A man was later convicted of manslaughter and sent to prison. Mr Foster was survived by his wife and two small children.
Officer Foster’s widow Mrs Joan Foster accepted the medal.

OFFICER THOMAS GILHOOLEY
Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 05-11-1979
Officer Gilhooley joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in November 1977 and served for two years until his death on 5 November 1979. He was an Officer in Belfast Prison prior to his death. Mr Gilhooley was driving home from work when the attack took place. He was waiting for a break in the traffic when a gunman on the footpath opened fire and shot him. Mr Gilhooley was survived by his wife, who has since died, and two small children.
Officer Gilhooley’s daughter Miss Deborah Gilhooley accepted the medal.

HOSPITAL OFFICER JOHN GRIFFITHS
Hospital Officer, HMP Maze
Died 04-05-1989
Hospital Officer Griffiths joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in April 1977 and served over 12 years until his death on 4 May 1989. He last served in Maze prison as a Hospital Officer. Mr Griffiths died when a bomb exploded under his car as he left home to go to the prison. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Hospital Officer Griffiths’ son Mr John Griffiths accepted the medal.

OFFICER ROBERT JOHN HAMILTON
Officer, HMP Magilligan
Died 08-10-1976
Officer Hamilton joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in March 1975 and served for just over a year until his death on 8 October 1976. He last served as an Officer in Magilligan prison. Mr Hamilton was attacked and shot as he got out of his car at his home in Londonderry. He was unmarried and lived with his mother and sister.
Officer Hamilton’s sister Mrs Sandra Roulston accepted the medal.

OFFICER RUBY ELIZABETH MABEL HEMPTON
Officer, HMP Armagh
Mrs Hempton joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in October 1973 and served until 8 August 1981 when she retired on medical grounds. She was serving in Armagh Prison prior to her retirement. Mrs Hempton was leaving the prison with other members of staff when shots were fired from a passing vehicle. Another member of the group, Officer Agnes Wallace, was killed in the attack and Mrs Hempton sustained serious injuries resulting in medical retirement from the Prison Service.
Officer Hempton accepted her own medal.

PRINCIPAL OFFICER DESMOND ERNEST IRVINE
Principal Officer, HMP Maze
Died 07-10-1977
Principal Officer Irvine joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in September 1964 and served for over 13 years until his death on 7 October 1977. He last served as a Principal Officer in Maze prison. He was shot leaving a meeting of the Prison Officers’ Association of which he was secretary. Shortly before his death, Mr Irvine had taken part in a television programme on life at the Maze Prison. He also had a brother who served in the Prison Service and has now retired.
Principal Officer Irvine’s brother Mr William Irvine Snr accepted the medal

MR LESLIE JARVIS
Chief Instructor, HMP Magilligan
Died 23-03-1987
Mr Jarvis was employed as a civilian instructor in Magilligan prison prior to his death. He was shot as he sat in his car outside Magee College in Londonderry where he was attending night classes. A short time later, a bomb exploded in his car killing two policemen who were investigating the shooting. Mr Jarvis was survived by his wife and family.
Mr Jarvis’ widow Mrs Margaret Jarvis accepted the award.

ASSISTANT GOVERNOR EDWARD DONALD JONES
Assistant Governor, HMP Belfast
Died 19-09-1979
Assistant Governor Jones joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in March 1946 and served for over 33 years until his death on 19 September 1979. He was Assistant Governor in Belfast Prison prior to his death. He died when he was shot from another car while waiting for traffic lights to change. During his career, Mr Jones had been awarded the British Empire Medal after service with the Irish Guards during the Second World War and the Imperial Service Order for his work in the Prison Service. Mr Jones was survived by his wife and children.
His wife Dorothy Jones accepted his medal.

PRINCIPAL OFFICER PATRICK THOMAS KERR
Principal Officer, HMP Maze
Died 17-02-1985
Principal Officer Kerr joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in July 1969 and served for over 15 years until his death on 17 February 1985. He last served as a Principal Officer in Maze prison. Mr Kerr was shot as he left St Patrick’s cathedral in Armagh with his wife and children. A few years earlier, his home had been attacked by gunmen. Mr Kerr was holder of the British Empire Medal.
Principal Officer Kerr’s son Mr Gregory Kerr accepted the medal.

PRINCIPAL OFFICER PATRICK MACKIN
Principal Officer, Retired
Died 03-02-1979
Principal Officer Mackin joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in August 1951 and had served for over 27 years when he retired in November 1978. Prior to retirement he was a Principal Officer at the Prison Service College. Mr Mackin and his wife were both shot in the same incident at their home on 3 February 1979. Their bodies were found the following morning by their son, his wife and two young children. A man was later jailed for life for the double killing.
Principal Officer Mackin’s son Mr Philip Robert Mackin accepted the medal.

GOVERNOR WILLIAM McCONNELL
Governor, HMP Maze
Died 06-03-1984
Governor McConnell joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in September 1971 and served for over 12 years until his death on 6 March 1984. At the time of death he was a Governor in Maze Prison. Mr McConnell was shot at his home while checking underneath his car for booby traps. His wife and three year old daughter witnessed the murder. One man was later convicted of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Governor McConnell’s widow, Mrs Beryl Quigley, accepted the medal.

SENIOR OFFICER WILLIAM McCULLY
Senior Officer, Retired
Died 23-09-1974
Senior Officer McCully joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in September 1948 and served for 23 years. He was a Senior Officer at the time of his retirement in 1971. He was working as a school caretaker when he was murdered on 23 September 1974, three years after leaving the Service. Mr McCully was shot in his home and was dead on admission to hospital. His wife was injured in the attack. He was the first person with Prison Service connections to be killed.
Senior Officer McCully’s widow Mrs Rhoswyn McCully accepted the medal.

OFFICER JOHN MURDIE McTIER
Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 14-12-1978
Mr McTier joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in October 1974 and served for over 4 years until his death on 14 December 1978. Prior to his death, he served as a Clerk in Belfast Prison. Mr McTier was driving home from the prison accompanied by two colleagues when a number of shots were fired from a passing car. Both his passengers survived the attack but Mr McTier was killed. He was survived by his wife and three small children.
Officer McTier’s widow Mrs Angeline McTier accepted the medal.

OFFICER GERALD FRANCIS MELVILLE
Officer, HMP Maze
Died 23-11-1979
Officer Melville joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in February 1964 and served for over 15 years until his death on 23 November 1979. He was an Officer in Maze Prison prior to his death. Mr Melville was shot at his home and was found dead the following morning when colleagues reported he had failed to report for duty. He was survived by his wife and young daughter.
Officer Melville’s daughter, Mrs Sandra Ann Charlesworth, accepted the medal.

GOVERNOR ALBERT MILES
Governor, HMP Maze
Died 26-11-1978
Governor Miles joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in October 1958 and served for over 20 years until his death on 26 November 1978. He last served in Maze prison as a Governor. Mr Miles was murdered when gunmen forced their way into his home and shot him while restraining his wife. Two men were later convicted of his murder and given life sentences.
Governor Miles’ son Mr Alan John Miles accepted the medal.

PRINCIPAL OFFICER JOHN WESLEY MILLIKEN
Principal Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 22-06-1977
Principal Officer Milliken joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in July 1960 and served for almost 17 years until his death on 22 June 1977. He last served in Belfast prison as a Principal Officer. Mr Milliken was shot on his way home from work. At his funeral service, he was described as ‘a devoted member of the church and an exemplary prison officer’. He was survived by his wife and child.
Principal Officer Milliken’s widow Mrs Ann Milliken accepted the medal.

OFFICER JAMES ALEXANDER PEACOCK
Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 01-09-1993
Officer Peacock joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in 1977 and served for over 16 years until 1 September 1993 when he was the victim of a terrorist murder. Prior to his death, Mr Peacock was an officer in Belfast prison. On the night of his murder, Mr Peacock was at home with his wife and daughter. The attack was one of five carried out against members of the Prison Service on that day and followed a UVF threat against staff following disturbances in Loyalist wings at Maze. Mr Peacock was survived by his wife and children.
Officer Peacock’s widow Mrs Sandra Peacock accepted the medal.

OFFICER DAVID TEENEY
Clerk, HMP Belfast
Died 07-11-1979
Mr Teeney joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in July 1976 and served for over three years until his death on 7 November 1979. He worked as a Clerk in Belfast Prison prior to his death and was waiting for a bus to take him to work when he was shot. Mr Teeney, who had been married for a very short time before his murder, was a keen sportsman and committed Christian.
Officer Teeney’s father Mr George Teeney accepted the medal.

OFFICER AGNES JEAN WALLACE
Officer, HMP Armagh
Died 19-04-1979
Officer Wallace joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in January 1979 and was murdered just over three months later on 19 April 1979. Mrs Wallace and three female colleagues had just left the prison when shots were fired and a hand grenade thrown from a passing car. All four women were injured in the attack and Mrs Wallace died at the scene. She was the first female Prison Officer to be killed since the start of the ‘troubles’. Mrs Wallace was survived by her husband and children.
Officer Wallace’s widower Mr Victor Wallace accepted the medal.

SENIOR OFFICER WILLIAM WILSON
Senior Officer, HMP Belfast
Died 17-12-1979
Senior Officer Wilson joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in July 1949 and served for over 30 years until his death on 17 December 1979. He was a Senior Officer in Belfast Prison at the time of his death. Mr Wilson was shot as he walked from the Prison to a local club for lunch. He was survived by his wife and children.
Senior Officer Wilson’s widow, Mrs Ella Wilson, accepted the medal.

CHIEF OFFICER WILLIAM WRIGHT
Chief Officer II, HMP Belfast
Died 03-12-1979
Chief Officer Wright joined the Northern Ireland Prison Service in February 1947 and served for over 32 years until his death on 3 December 1979. He last served as a Chief in Belfast prison. Mr Wright had just arrived home from work and was opening his garage door when he was shot. Two years earlier there had also been an attempt on his life but on that occasion he had managed to escape. Shortly before his death, Mr Wright had been awarded the British Empire Medal. He was survived by his wife and children. Mrs Wright has since died.
Chief Officer Wright’s son Mr Paul Wright accepted the medal.

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