Three sentenced in Paris

An Irishman and two Frenchmen were given suspended sentences by a French court on June 30 for their alleged part in assisting a Provisional squad who were said to be planning bomb attacks in Britain two years ago.

Belfastman, Paul McGarrigle (41), who had been arrested in July 1996 was given a seven month sentence with another 11 months suspended for associating with the Provisionals and having a pistol. The prosecution had recommended a four-year term on charges of criminal conspiracy.

Jean-Louis Becker (48) was given a one-year sentence with another two years suspended. Becker was arrested in March last year “on information” from the British police. The prosecution had recommended a five-year sentence.

Taxi driver Frank Lebret-Richer (45) was sentenced to three months and 15 months suspended. Lebret-Richer was accused of hiding two Provisional members at his home. The prosecutor had recommended a suspended sentence of 18 months to two years for Lebret-Richer.
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Tom Maguire ceremony

The annual wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Comdt-Gen Tom Maguire took place at his grave in Cross cemetery, Co Mayo on Sunday evening, July 5.

Tomás Ó Curraoin, Bearna, Gaillimh gave a brief address. General Maguire was GOC, Second Western Division, IRA 1921-23 and last and faithful TD of the Second (All-Ireland) Dáil. He died in 1993 at the great age of 101 years.
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Death of Michael Horgan

As we went to press we learned of the death in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, of Michael Horgan, Tralee, a life long Republican. He was aged 52. Sincere sympathy is expressed to his wife Margaret and family.
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Harney moves to distract public from political corruption

An attack on the most vulnerable of the community is how Republican Sinn Féin in Limerick has described plans by the leader of the Progressive Democrats to force people on social welfare into FÁS schemes in September.

Limerick spokesperson Joe Lynch says that the Dublin administration should go after the high profile tax evaders who are costing the country huge amounts of lost revenue rather than the poorest section of society.

“The fact is that the Fianna Fáil/PD administration is now tainted by the image of cash payments in brown envelopes. At a time when there are numerous tribunals conducting probes into political corruption, this move by Mary Harney serves to distract attention from the real scandals in Irish Life.

“People on social welfare are easy targets. They are the most disadvantaged people in the community. The Dublin administration has not shown the same determination to go after high profile tax evaders. Until Mary Harney displays an equal commitment to tackling the huge tax evasion problem then her latest outburst cannot be taken seriously and must be seen as yet another attack on the poorest and most vulnerable in society,” he said.
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Starry Plough

Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom
July 11, 1998

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