INLA Statement on Strabane Attack

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday November 01, 2002 12:19 by pat c - Republican Socialist Press Office DublinIRSP at hotmail dot com 4 Cavendish Row Dublin 1, Ireland 01 8735620,

INLA Statement on Strabane Attack 21 October 2002 The following statement has been received by the IRSP from the INLA in relation to the shooting incident in Carlton Drive (Strabane), 15 October 2002

INLA Statement on Strabane Attack
21 October 2002

The following statement has been received by the IRSP from the INLA in relation to the shooting incident in Carlton Drive (Strabane), 15 October 2002
We have noted the spurious and disingenuous statements coming from some quarters in the media about the shooting of Collie Barr. We have taken the unusual step of issuing this statement through a circular in order the clarify the INLA position on the matter even thought the dogs in the street DO know the reason behind the attack on this person, which have been well documented in the press. To claim that the attack was the result of a personal vendetta by "elements" is ridiculous in the extreme and an outright lie.

Since 1996 this individual has played a central role in attacks on the Republican Socialist Movement in the Strabane area. He was involved in a catalogue of events since 1996, such as:

Behind the graffiti writing attacking the IRSP in 1996
Behind the painting of a death threat on a wall naming an IRSP member in 1997
Behind the slashing of tyres of IRSP members cars in 1997
Issuing threats, including death threats, against members of the IRSP and their families in 1998
Encouraging others to start fights with members of the IRSP
Along with some of his cronies attacking members of the IRSP with hurley sticks in 1997
Using his influence with one of his cronies to intimidate an IRSP member's family with a weapon on two occasions in 1997
Attempting to get some members of the Republican Movement to attack IRSP members thus creating a feud type situation
Behind a campaign of black propaganda, lies and innuendos against IRSP members
Behind a campaign of black propaganda, lies, innuendos and intimidation against some former members of the Carlton Drive Community Association from 1996 to 1999 which led to the eventual collapse of the Association in 1999
Using his influence with the now disbanded Carlton Drive Republican Youth to carry out his personal vendetta against the IRSP
Using his cronies to carry out the burning of IRSP members cars along with that of SDLP member Eugene McMemamin in 2002
Openly threatening to burn another IRSP member's car and scoffing to members of the IRSP about the burning of the cars
Circulating a letter demonising a leading member of the IRSP with lies and false innuendos, the same letter was also posted to loyalist areas which included the personal movements of the IRSP member calling on loyalists and others to kill him and not to worry if his then 18 month old child "gets in the way", meaning the death of the child
Spreading malicious and untrue rumours about the IRSP including pointing the finger at the INLA for burning Eugene McMemamin's car and the graffiti about McMemamin when in fact his influence led to these two incidents in 2002.
This individual created the illusion that all of the above was carried out at the behest of the Republican Movement thus heightening tensions within Republican factions, the community and the media. The INLA met with the IRA on a number of occasions down throughout the years about this man's activities and have repeatedly asked for his status, i.e. was he a member of the IRA or SF or any other Republican grouping or if the Republican Movement were supporting him in his campaign of demonisation and physical attacks on IRSP members. No answer was forthcoming on his status.

Furthermore this man was under investigation, which is still ongoing, by the INLA as to his links, if any, with the RUC Special Branch. Again during a number of meetings this year with the IRA at local level, his status was again asked for as the INLA had identified him and a number of others who were behind the burning of IRSP members' cars.

All those identified left the country including Collie who later came back after mistakenly believing that he could get away with his activities. After he came back the INLA bypassed the local leadership of the IRA and asked the national leadership of the IRA for this man's status. After several weeks the IRA leadership stated that this individual was not and is not a member of the Republican Movement.

This man was given repeated warnings down throughout the years to his face by the INLA about his actions, some of which were delivered to him in the presence of other Republicans of his choosing, and of the consequences he would face if he refused to desist. Action would have been taken much earlier against this individual except for the mistaken belief by the INLA that he was either connected to the IRA or SF as it has been and still remains the policy of the INLA not to attack members of other Republican groupings.

Collie Barr has only himself to blame and we now take this opportunity to strongly advise him and his cronies to discontinue his personal vendetta against the IRSP or face further repercussions.

We would also like to take this opportunity to dismiss all media speculation of feuds as wishful thinking and pure media hype.

-- Statement Ends --