Nine days after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to block prosecutions of British troopers for Troubles killings, the House Foreign Affairs Committee hosted a special briefing by Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice and Professor Mark McGovern. Congressman Eliot Engel scheduled the briefing, attended by Congressmen, many Congressional aides, two observers from the Irish Embassy and an observer from the British Northern Ireland Office. Mr. Thompson from Belfast and Professor McGovern from Edge Hill University near Liverpool, urged Congress, to take a lead along with Irish … [Read more...] about CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING ON TROOPER AMNESTY
2019 Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal
Please donate to this year’s CHRISTMAS APPEAL. Together we can make a difference. All checks must be made out to “Ancient Order of Hibernians”. Payments should be sent to AOH-FFAI at PO Box 271 West Nyack NY 10994. Please refer to our Information Packet for more details. Click here for the 2019 Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal Packet Your help for freedom for all Ireland is critical. Boris Johnson and the British government are stepping up efforts to deny truth to the families of victims murdered by the crown while starting new prosecutions against Irish Republicans. Brexit still … [Read more...] about 2019 Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal
AOH FIGHTS JOHNSON’S LEGACY COVERUP WITH THOMPSON TOUR
In the October FFAI Bulletin, the AOH predicted that "after Brexit, Boris Johnson would move to "shutdown prosecutions of British troopers for murdering the Irish, and ... end hopes for justice by cutting off truth mechanisms once and for all". Johnson did not even wait for Brexit! On November 11th, Johnson pledged to end prosecutions of British troopers. The AOH will stand behind victims' families and fight … [Read more...] about AOH FIGHTS JOHNSON’S LEGACY COVERUP WITH THOMPSON TOUR
WILL YOUR CONGRESSMAN MEET Mark Thompson and Mark McGovern-November 19th-20th or attend Foreign Affairs Committee Meeting?
A chairde The House Foreign Affairs Committee has agreed to host an AOH requested briefing of Congressmen by Mark Thompson and Mark McGovern on November 20th open to Friends of Ireland or other members and staff.(see attached) In addition both men will be available in Washington on the 19th and 20th for individual briefings of Congressmen as part of their six state AOH FFAI TOUR. The Committee will host the event but stress that members of Congress only attend these briefings or hold individual meetings if they think it is important for constituents. That means AOH -LAOH and other … [Read more...] about WILL YOUR CONGRESSMAN MEET Mark Thompson and Mark McGovern-November 19th-20th or attend Foreign Affairs Committee Meeting?
KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE
Six Members of Congress joined in a bipartisan letter to Deputy British Ambassador Michael Tatum, citing concerns about state force amnesty in legacy killings and Britain's failure to implement agreed legacy mechanisms. The bipartisan Congressional initiative, joined by Representatives Peter King, Eliot Engel, Chris Smith, Brian Fitzpatrick, Nita Lowey and Brendan Boyle, came as Boris Johnson was named Conservative Party leader and presumptive Prime Minister. The initiative also follows a recent AOH sponsored tour by Mark Thompson of Relatives For Justice and Edge Hill University Professor … [Read more...] about KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE
BRITISH ROLE IN TYRONE-SOUTH DERRY KILLINGS UNDENIABLE McGOVERN-THOMPSON CHARGE
"You can argue whether the British government was justified in using loyalists to carry out murders in Tyrone and South Derry but it is just not credible to pretend state force collusion never happened." Professor Mark McGovern, joined by Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice, made that point to Congressmen, public officials and Irish Americans in a seven state American launch of COLLUSION COUNTERINSURGENCY in NORTHERN IRELAND, organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians with Relatives for Justice. CLAIM For decades nationalists in Tyrone, south Derry and across the north saw British … [Read more...] about BRITISH ROLE IN TYRONE-SOUTH DERRY KILLINGS UNDENIABLE McGOVERN-THOMPSON CHARGE
TYRONE FAMILIES URGE BIG TURNOUT FOR AOH BOOK TOUR
Tyrone victims' relatives are appealing for support for this week’s AOH sponsored launches of the book Counterinsurgency and Collusion. As Professor Mark McGovern of Edge Hill University in England joined by Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice flew to America to begin a multistate tour on Sunday in Philadelphia, Tyrone families made their appeal to underline the importance of American support in their battle for justice. Poilin Quinn, sister of John Quinn murdered by the UVF alongside three other men in Cappagh, County Tyrone, on March 3rd 1991, said: “This book tells the definitive … [Read more...] about TYRONE FAMILIES URGE BIG TURNOUT FOR AOH BOOK TOUR
McGOVERN-THOMPSON LAUNCH GROUNDBREAKING BOOK ON BRITISH COLLUSION – U.S. TOUR
A groundbreaking new book shows Britain armed, directed, paid and protected loyalist agents to carry out murders in Tyrone and Derry, then denied blame. Professor Mark McGovern, joined by Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice, will begin a seven state American launch of COLLUSION COUNTERINSURGENCY in NORTHERN IRELAND, on June 2nd.They will present shocking new findings in public events and Congressional meetings in a tour organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Relatives for Justice, but now supported by a growing list of Irish-American groups. AT STAKE A central claim used by … [Read more...] about McGOVERN-THOMPSON LAUNCH GROUNDBREAKING BOOK ON BRITISH COLLUSION – U.S. TOUR
MAY FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A- Six month deportation reprieve for Malachy McAllister- Less than 48 hours before his scheduled deportation, Senators and Congressmen supporting Malachy McAllister were told that Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan would grant a six month stay. Belfast born Hibernian and key member of the AOH National FFAI Committee, Malachy McAllister was scheduled to be deported on April 30th, after 23 years, in America. He was ordered deported because he had been jailed as a Republican political prisoner for his alleged role in an attack on the Royal … [Read more...] about MAY FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
APRIL FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A- Brexit chaos as Westminster rejects May deal- Britain's exit from the European Union, Brexit, due March 29th was delayed as Westminster vetoed Prime Minister Theresa May's deal with the EU. Multiple parliamentary defeats made May ask the EU for an extension. No one knows what will happen next. Had Britain accepted May's withdrawal deal with the EU nations, Brexit could have gone ahead on May 22nd. Brexit could go ahead without any deal on April 12th or Britain could ask for more time and even renegotiations. Exiting after May 22nd, would require Britain … [Read more...] about APRIL FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
HIBERNIAN FACT-FINDING MISSION CONCLUDES
Hibernians completed a highly publicized nine day fact-finding mission which included, a Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest session, receptions by Belfast and Derry Mayors, questioning Derry's Unionist Deputy Mayor and eight Councillors, briefings on collusion, legacy justice, Brexit, Pat Finucane, Bloody Sunday and the Dalraidian environmental threat, as well as meetings and presentations to community groups. The Freedom for all Ireland (FFAI) delegation led by President Jim McKay and LAOH President Carol Sheyer included leading Hibernians from 13 states. They concluded in Dublin briefing Irish … [Read more...] about HIBERNIAN FACT-FINDING MISSION CONCLUDES
KING-NEAL-DOYLE BACK BALLYMURPHY JUSTICE
Three key Congressional leaders on Irish issues, Peter King, Richard Neal and Michael Doyle, sent a bipartisan letter to British Ambassador Kim Darroch, citing the crucial implications of the Ballymurphy Inquest for all Troubles legacy issues. The three Congressmen acted after meeting Carmel Quinn during her multi-state American tour representing the Ballymurphy Campaign and Relatives for Justice. This letter is the latest sign of growing American focus on Ballymurphy, spearheaded by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, along with of the Irish American Unity Conference and Brehon Law … [Read more...] about KING-NEAL-DOYLE BACK BALLYMURPHY JUSTICE
DECEMBER FFAI 2018 BULLETIN
A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A- Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest opens- Forty-seven years after the Ballymurphy Massacre, new Inquests opened in Belfast, as family members of the 11 victims, many holding hands, witnessed the proceedings. The Inquest was technically limited to the 10 victims shot dead by British troopers between August 9th-11th,1971 in the Ballymurphy section of Belfast. However, as the Coroner's representative, it also covered the killing of Paddy McCarthy, who died of a heart attack after being subjected to a mock execution. The Inquest began with statements by … [Read more...] about DECEMBER FFAI 2018 BULLETIN
Carmel Quinn Ballymurphy Massacre Appeal
FREEDOM FOR ALL IRELAND October 28,2018 Saying "the 'Ballymurphy Massacre' families need American help in their 47 year battle for justice", Carmel Quinn, a sister of one of 11 victims John Laverty, will begin a five state American tour as the Inquest opens in Belfast. The tour follows attacks by 150 Tory MPs and British Prime Minister Theresa May aimed at discrediting investigations of British forces for 'Troubles' killings in the north of Ireland. A founding member of the 'Ballymurphy Massacre' Campaign and member of Relatives for Justice, Carmel Quinn will ask for American help at … [Read more...] about Carmel Quinn Ballymurphy Massacre Appeal
OCTOBER FFAI 2018 BULLETIN
A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A-Bradley admits sent to rule with no clue about north Karen Bradley, picked by Prime Minister Theresa May to administer British rule in the six counties, said she had no understanding of the north when picked for the post. Bradley made her frank admissions to House magazine, a weekly parliamentary magazine giving Westminster MPs puff piece interviews. Bradley confessed she had did not understand basic facts of the north's politics, elections and deep-rooted issues saying it was all "a very different world from the world I come from." She said: "I … [Read more...] about OCTOBER FFAI 2018 BULLETIN
American AOH Meet Ballymurphy Families
Saying they were there "to pledge American support for Ballymurphy in its battle for truth and justice," National AOH Vice-President Danny O'Connell, and National Secretary Jere Cole met Ballymurphy Massacre families on Sunday. The AOH leaders were escorted by victims' family members to the murder scenes and given a moving account of each killing .The fact-finding visit was also attended by Relatives for Justice. John Teggart, son of Ballymurphy Massacre victim Danny Teggart, described the fact-finding visit in detail: "The families outlined how their loved ones were murdered in their own … [Read more...] about American AOH Meet Ballymurphy Families
American AOH to Meet Ballymurphy Families
Calling the upcoming Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest "a fundamental test of Britain's ability to give legacy justice", Danny O'Connell, National Vice-President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians,announced that he and National Secretary Jere Cole will be meeting with the Ballymurphy Massacre families in Belfast to pledge the support of the powerful Irish American organization to these families in their battle for truth. AOH National Vice-President Danny O'Connell said: "The AOH as a leading voice of the Irish in America, recognizes the upcoming Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest will … [Read more...] about American AOH to Meet Ballymurphy Families
“Gaelic Mass Day” Proclamed by Westchester County
It was officially "Gaelic Mass Day" on Saturday, September 8th,as Hibernians led by New York State President Vic Vogel, and joined by local Irish community groups and parishioners, gathered for an Irish language Mass at St. Barnabas Parish. The day began with County Legislator David Tubiolo, announcing Westchester's proclamation and presenting copies to New York State AOH, host Bronx AOH Division 5 and St. Barnabas Parish. The Gaelic Mass which was said by St. Barnabas Pastor Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald, and brought together fluent Irish speakers with many who never before heard the Mass said in … [Read more...] about “Gaelic Mass Day” Proclamed by Westchester County
SEPTEMBER FFAI 2018 BULLETIN
A chairde: This month's issues updates has crucial issues like Ballymurphy Inquest, Loughinisland Journalists being arrested , DUP attitudes to Stormont. Our National VP and Secretary will be meeting with the Ballymurphy Families this month to show American support and get a briefing. We are expanding Carmel Quinn's tour to include Philadelphia, New Jersey and other cities. to give AOH members the latest info. There will be an informal meeting to get suggestions on the FFAI Christmas Appeal on Sunday September 9th at 2pm. You can send ideas via email. FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A- … [Read more...] about SEPTEMBER FFAI 2018 BULLETIN
AUGUST 2018 BULLETIN
A chairde: Last May I arranged to meet with Mark Thompson, of Relatives for Justice, a Christmas Appeal recipient. A dozen victims' families arrived. They wanted the AOH to know how much they appreciate our AOH donations, but also how much they need American moral, political and public pressure on the British, to win justice. They are counting on the AOH, as the voice of the Irish in America, to rally that American pressure. Following our National Convention, I have been directed by our National President, to work with brothers across the country, in putting the British under … [Read more...] about AUGUST 2018 BULLETIN