Fermanagh Priest Meets Victims' Campaigner

http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/FH/free/361264980581670.php

Fermanagh priest meets victims' campaigner

A Fermanagh-born priest is to join forces with a life-long Loyalist in a bid to lobby senior politicians in America for their support.

Father Sean McManus, the president of the Irish National Caucus which is based in Washington, has extended an invitation to Victims' campaigner Raymond McCord, whose son Raymond Jnr was beaten to death by the Mount Vernon UVF in 1997.

Mr McCord will visit the US next month where he will speak with Democrat and Republican politicians.

Fr McManus explained the background to the invitation: "Despite the tragic divisions in Northern Ireland, there is still a strong Ulster bond, which asserts itself when the Protestant and the Catholic each experiences British injustice."

For his part, Mr McCord stated: "All my life I have been a staunch Loyalist Protestant who believes in the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

"I used to dismiss claims of Catholic mistreatment as mere Republican propaganda.

"So, I could not believe that my British Government and my police could be guilty of political assassinations, brutality and deadly cover-ups until it all happened to my own beloved son.

"Since Raymond Jr. was murdered, I have encountered stonewalling and obstruction from the British Government and Northern Ireland police. I can only turn for justice to Fr. Mc Manus and his many friends in Congress.

"He has assured me that the US Congress will fight for my rights as hard as they have fought for the rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland".

Fr McManus said he had been touched by Mr McCord's profound love for his son and was deeply impressed by his bravery and fearless integrity.

"I can pay him no higher respect when I call him, "The Protestant Pat Finucane of Northern Ireland".

Priest & Victims' Campaigner Lobby US Politicians

http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/540/5860/2009/4/14/615138_378394758045Priestand.html

Priest and victims’ campaigner to lobby US politicians

By Barry McCaffrey
Irish News. Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Irishnews.com

A lifelong loyalist and a nationalist priest have formed an alliance to lobby senior politicians in the US.

Victims’ campaigner Raymond McCord has accepted an invitation from Irish National Caucus president Fr Sean McManus to visit the US next month.

Mr McCord, whose son Raymond jnr was beaten to death by the Mount Vernon UVF in 1997, will meet senior Democrat and Republican politicians in New York and Washington.

“There was a time when it would have been impossible for Raymond McCord snr to have believed that a campaigner for the rights of mistreated Catholics in Northern Ireland on Capitol Hill would become his best ally in seeking justice for his own murdered Protestant son,” Fr McManus said.

“I have been touched by Raymond’s profound love for his son and deeply impressed by his bravery and fearless integrity.”

Mr McCord said he also saw the irony in the new partnership.

“All my life I have been a staunch loyalist Protestant who believes in the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“I used to dismiss claims of Catholic mistreatment as mere republican propaganda.

“I could not believe that my British government and my police could be guilty of political assassinations, brutality and deadly cover-ups until it all happened to my own beloved son.

“I can only turn for justice to Fr McManus and his many friends in Congress.

“He has assured me that the US Congress will fight for my rights as hard as they have fought for the rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland.”

Fellow Protestant Back Mc Cord

Fellow Protestant Backs Mc Cord
Gives Full Backing to Capitol Hill Visit

Capitol Hill. Tuesday, April 15, 2009 ----- Well in advance of Raymond Mc Cord’s dramatic visit to Capitol Hill, his visit has received strong backing from fellow Protestant and fellow victim’s campaigner, Paul Mc Ilwaine.

Mr. Mc Cord’s visit to Washington (May 3 to 14) is being sponsored by the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus.

Mc Ilwaine’s son, David, was murdered by Loyalists in 20000. One of the first persons to contact him and to offer solidarity was Raymond Mc Cord, whose own son was murdered in 1997.

Mr. Mc Ilwaine has issued a two -page testimony bearing witness to the integrity of Raymond Mc Cord, pointing out that Mc Cord’s long struggle has had “influence on the judicial system and policing in Northern Ireland”.

Mc Ilwiane also says he was let down by Unionist politicians,” It must be noted that of the 9 years I have known Raymond, the lack of support to both of us from the Unionist politicians has been abysmal. They have consistently buried their heads in the sand and have chosen to ignore the facts.

Despite promises of meetings with Ian Paisley Jr. on at least 6 occasions, he has failed to keep one promise. Indeed, at the last policing board meeting when asked to raise questions about known loyalist killers being paid to work on police premises, he said he would not raise that question ever. He is just one of a long list of unionists i.e. Jeffrey Donaldson, Nigel Dodds and, not least, Peter Robinson.

Raymond McCord and I are both Protestants from the Unionist community. We both sought help from the Unionist politicians. To say we were let down would be a gross understatement. The Unionist politicians in this country should hang their heads in shame and are not fit to walk the streets of Northern Ireland”.

Fr. Sean Mc Manus explained that McIlwaines’s testimony is being hand-delivered to key Members of Congress today. “I think Paul Mc Ilwaine and Raymond Mc Cord are two Protestant heroes, brave Ulstermen with whom I’m proud to associate. True reconciliation is Protestants and Catholics not just coming together, but coming together to work for justice”.
-----

Testimony of Paul Mc Ilwaine

April 9, 2009
Email: pmcilwaine04@aol.co.uk

I am writing this to describe and emphasize the importance of Raymond McCord’s influence on the judicial system and policing in Northern Ireland.

Raymond McCord is a close personal friend of mine and has been instrumental and invaluable in regards to the campaign surrounding the murder of my son, David.

David was murdered on the 19th of February 2000, along with another young teenager, Andrew Robb. Within the first weeks after the two murders, Raymond McCord, unknown to me at the time, other than through media coverage, contacted me and gave me vital information in regards to a number of individuals involved in these two murders.

Police Cover-Up

This information was passed on to the police. Their response was to disregard anything Raymond said as of no significance. Much to my shame, I disregarded Raymond’s advice and took the advice of the police authorities.

One of the names Raymond gave me was that of Mark Haddock. It has since emerged that this man was a paid agent of the State, allowed to carry out murders with the full knowledge of the security forces. These revelations were substantiated by the Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde and uncovered by Nula O Loan, the then Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Not only that, they were also acknowledged by the then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Mark Haddock’s significance in my son’s case was that he was questioned 12 times by the intelligence service within the police. Despite this, the police stated that he was not involved in the case, in anyway.

Haddock’s Role

Haddocks, first involvement in murder goes back to 1993. When he murdered Catholic taxi driver Sharon McKenna, a 27-year-old mother, who was in a Protestant friend’s house on a Good Samaritan visit when he shot her in the back with a shot -gun, and as she lay on the ground shot her again and again. The next day he went to his agent handlers within the police force and admitted his role as one of the murderers. Instead of being arrested and charged with this brutal murder he was given a pay raise and financial assistance to go on a foreign holiday. This murder and the subsequent murder of Raymond’s son went unpunished, and to this day no one has been brought before the court in regards to these.

Let Down By Unionist Politicians

It must be noted that of the 9 years I have known Raymond, the lack of support to both of us from the Unionist politicians has been abysmal. They have consistently buried their heads in the sand and have chosen to ignore the facts.

Despite promises of meetings with Ian Paisley Jr. on at least 6 occasions, he has failed to keep one promise. Indeed, at the last policing board meeting when asked to raise questions about known loyalist killers being paid to work on police premises, he said he would not raise that question ever. He is just one of a long list of unionists i.e. Jeffrey Donaldson, Nigel Dodds and, not least, Peter Robinson

Raymond McCord and I are both Protestants from the Unionist community. We both sought help from the Unionist politicians. To say we were let down would be a gross understatement. The Unionist politicians in this country should hang their heads in shame and are not fit to walk the streets of Northern Ireland.

The Measure Of The Man

Raymond McCord has fought with paramilitaries most of his life. He has single-handedly changed the judicial system in Northern Ireland for a great many years to come. He has dedicated his time and efforts to helping anyone and everyone who asks for assistance, regardless of their religion or their background. I have close personal knowledge of some of those who have asked for his help. In fact, one person, an elderly woman asked for help in regards to the controversial killing of her son -- admitting that her son was a UVF loyalist killer himself. And without giving it a thought, he agreed. This is the type of man he is.

Over a great many years a number of killers have been allowed to operate with impunity and rewarded with large amounts of cash with the full knowledge of the higher authorities within the security forces and the British government. When Police Ombudsman, Nula O’Loan, exposed these actions, as a direct result of Raymond McCord’s complaints, it changed completely the way the security forces in this country were allowed to operate.

To many Raymond McCord, on the surface, would seem to be a rough and ready character. But my experience is that he is a honorable and dedicated father, who hasn’t been allowed to grieve and has been denied justice. In the past few months eleven men were arrested and charged and await trial for the murder of Tommy English. This was also as a direct result of Raymond McCord’s campaign.

As has been the case with too many others in this country, if you don’t seek justice yourself you will find it very difficult to get any. I will always be grateful for the help he has given me and he will always remain a friend.

Fr. Sean Mc Manus
President
Irish National Caucus
Capitol Hill
PO BOX 15128
Washington, DC 20003-0849
Tel. 202-544-0568
Fax 202-488-7537
sean@irishnationalcaucus.org

Loyalist McCord: Brits Betrayed, Befriended by Priest

Raymond Mc Cord Sr. - Protestant Loyalist Betrayed by British State; Befriended by Irish Priest on Capitol Hill

CAPITOL HILL. April 14, 2009 --- There was a time it would have been impossible for Raymond Mc Cord Sr. to have believed it: that a veteran campaigner on Capitol Hill for the rights of mistreated Catholics in Northern Ireland would become his best ally in seeking justice for his own murdered Protestant son.

But from May 4 to May 14, 2009 Fr. Sean Mc Manus, president of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus, and Raymond Mc Cord Sr. of Belfast will be pounding the halls of Congress and singing from the same hymn-sheet – a human rights sheet that is neither Protestant nor Catholic.

“Despite the tragic divisions in Northern Ireland, there is still a strong Ulster bond, which asserts itself when the Protestant and the Catholic each experiences British injustice”, explains Fr. Mc Manus. “Raymond’s son, Raymond Jr., was brutally murdered by a Loyalist Protestant paramilitary group in 1997 (the first betrayal) and the leader of the gang was protected in a sinister cover-up because he was a British Government agent and police informer (the second betrayal)”.

Raymond, Sr. adds: “ All my life I have been a staunch Loyalist Protestant who believes in the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I used to dismiss claims of Catholic mistreatment as mere Republican propaganda. I could not believe that MY British Government and MY police could be guilty of political assassinations, brutality and deadly cover-ups. Until it all happened to my own beloved son. Since Raymond Jr. was murdered, I have encountered stonewalling and obstruction from the British Government and Northern Ireland police. I can only turn for justice to Fr. Mc Manus and his many friends in Congress. He has assured me that the US Congress will fight for my rights as hard as they have fought for the rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland”.

Fr. Mc Manus added: “ I have been touched by Raymond’s profound love for his son and deeply impressed by his bravery and fearless integrity. I can pay him no higher respect when I call him, “ The Protestant Pat Finucane of Northern Ireland”. END.PS. Below is a letter that Fr. Mc Manus is sending to key Members of Congress, plus a Fact Sheet on Mc Cord Case.

************
The Honorable Richie Neal
2208 RHOB
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

April 14, 2009

Dear Richie,

From May 4 to May 14, 2009 the Irish National Caucus is sponsoring a visit to Capitol Hill by Raymond Mc Cord, Sr. –- the intrepid Protestant Loyalist from Belfast.

He is most anxious to meet with you to bring you up to date on his heroic campaign to bring to justice those who killed his 22-year-old son, Raymond, Jr., in 1997.

The leader of the Protestant Loyalist gang that killed his son has been protected by a sinister cover-up because he was a British Government agent and police informer. (That is something which Catholics have more usually complained about). For more details please see attached Fact Sheet and News Release.

In the past critics of your involvement, and mine, in the Irish issue tried to claim our concern was only for the rights Catholics in Northern Ireland.

We always knew that was not true: that our concern is for human rights and equality for all the people on the island of Ireland, irrespective of class or creed.

And our solidarity with the remarkably brave Protestant Raymond Mc Cord, Sr. clearly testifies to that.

We will be in contact with your office to arrange a meeting, which hopefully you can schedule.

Thank you so very much.
God bless America and God save Ireland.
Shalom.

Fr. Sean Mc Manus
President.

***********

FACT SHEET
RAYMOND MC CORD’S STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE
April 14, 2009

Raymond’s son, Raymond Jr., a 22-year-old Royal Air Force member, was brutally beatento death in a quarry near Belfast in November 1997 by members of the Protestant Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) based in the Mount Vernon area of that city.

The leader of the gang who ordered the murder was a government agent and police informer. He, therefore, has been protected by a sinister cover-up by the British government and the Northern Ireland police.

Raymond, Sr. has waged a heroic battle -- despite death threats and intimidation --- to bring the killers to justice. His fearless campaign led to a special investigation by the then Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan. In a major 2007 Report she confirmed that the leader of the Mount Vernon gang, Mark Haddock was a “protected species”, despite being implicated in 16 murders, 10 attempted murders, 23 paramilitary-style shootings and beatings, drug-dealing, extortion, arson and intimidation.

The Ombudsman declared there was a “pattern of work by certain officers within Special Branch designed to ensure that [Haddock] and his associates were protected from the law”.

However, despite some progress, Raymond’s quest for justice has met with stonewalling, obstruction and cover-up. He looks to America for help.

Fr Mc Manus Attacks Religion Satire Film as Bigoted

http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2009/apr/05/priest-attacks-religion-satire-film-as-bigoted/

Priest attacks religion satire film as bigoted

Ken Sweeney Entertainment Editor
Religulous: personal take

A veteran Irish-American campaigner against anti-Catholic bigotry in Northern Ireland has slammed a new Borat-style film on religion which opened in Ireland this weekend.

Fr Sean McManus, president of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus, has described Religulous, a documentary on religion by US satirist Bill Maher, as "superficial, sneering and insulting".

In the US the film has outraged Catholics who claim they are unfairly targeted by director Larry Charles, who is also behind the film Borat and TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune this weekend, Fr Sean McManus said he hoped that Religulous – its title a provocative mix of the words 'religion' and 'ridiculous' – would fail at the Irish box office.

"You would expect a documentary about religion to raise profound questions about life or death or justice and peace but this film does not. It might have a shock impact in Ireland but only for a very short time," he said.

But it's the controversial film's writer and star for whom Fr McManus reserves most of his anger.

"Even Northern Ireland has not produced worse bigots than Bill Maher and the fact that he was raised Catholic only makes his ugliness more offensive," he said.

Host of HBO's late-night talk show Real Time, Maher has described Religulous as his own personal take on religion.

It shows the comedian confronting a believer in each faith with what he sees as the apparent contradictions and idiocies of their belief systems, be it Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. These include the director of a Christian Church for "ex-gays", and an actor who plays Jesus in the "Holyland USA" theme park.

The film also ridicules the doctrine of the virgin birth of Jesus and the biblical account of the talking snake in the Garden of Eden.

"He didn't pick one normal serious, sensible, informed person to speak about their faith in God. Another part of the documentary I object to is him scoffing at 'a young Jewish woman having sex with a space God'. Well the entire Christian tradition is that Mary was a virgin. That is why she is called the Blessed Virgin Mary," said Fr McManus.

April 5, 2009