MY AMERICAN STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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CELEBRATING MY AMERICAN STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE IN NORTHERN IRELANDJUSTICE IN

Fr. Sean, Barbara and Fr. Jim Mc Manus celebrate My American Struggle for Justice in Northern Ireland.

Strong Irish Views at State Department

Capitol Hill . April 24, 2012 --- Irish-Americans today voiced strong concerns at a State Department Briefing.

The Briefing was “ off the record,” which means the State Department officials cannot be quoted.

“ However,” explained Fr. Sean Mc Manus – President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus – “ it can be said that Irish –American leaders from across the country expressed strong concerns.”

He continued : “ When the meeting was thrown open for discussion, I was first to speak and I immediately raised the cases of both Marian Price and Gerry Mc Geough.

Sean Pender, National Chairman of the Freedom of All Ireland Committee, followed up  with the issue of collusion and the continued stonewalling of the British Government on many killings.

Peter Kissel, leader of the Washington Chapter of the Irish American Unity Conference , weighed in on the Boston College tapes and cases like the Ballymurphy Massacre.

Other issues raised were : immigration, the case of the deportees, the peace walls, the need not to ignore the plight of working-class or deprived Loyalists who feel left out of the political dialogue.

Fr. Mc Manus explained : “ I also had intended to raise later in the discussion the need for a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights, but time did not permit. However, all of us were very pleased with the meeting. Our issues were listened to with attention and respect. We are very grateful and hope the State Department will continue these Briefings. I -- and several  others -- expressed  great confidence in, and respect for,  Hillary and we hope she can help with these issues.”

END

Raymond Mc Cord on the Belfast Launch of Fr. Mc Manus’ Memoirs

Belfast, April 9, 2011

Unfortunately, I cannot attend Sean’s book Launch, but I would like to show my appreciation for all that he has done in helping me and my family in the pursuit of truth and justice. 

Thirteen years ago I never would have dreamed that a Catholic priest would become:  a very good friend;  a man whom  I could  completely trust; a man standing beside me and giving me his full support as I tried to expose the collusion in my son Raymond, Jr.’s  murder.

Religion has never meant much to me—Catholic, Protestant or whatever.  It just never came into my thoughts. And my sons were reared the same way. Religion was not part of their thoughts.

Sports was a big part of my life.  I usually played football and boxing in the streets with paramilitaries.

How many fathers take things for granted.  That is, their sons will carry the father’s coffin.  Tragically, due to State collusion, I carried my son Raymond’s coffin on November 9, 1997.  From then, I have battled for justice here in our wee country.  Protestant tears and heartache are just the same as Catholic tears and heartache—no sectarianism there.  Unfortunately, people have used the pain and the tears to keep the greatest people on earth, the Protestants and Catholics of Northern Ireland, apart.  It is in death that many people realize that those divisions do not serve anybody except those who wish to gain from it.

Sean Mc Manus was regarded as an enemy of the Unionist people. Propaganda was used to have the Unionists believe that.  Well I can tell you he is no enemy of mine or the Unionist people.  He is a real man who has fought a courageous battle for justice for everyone.  We all meet people in who have a great impact on our lives, and Sean has been one of those people in my life.

As some of you know, I’m standing in the elections in May, if, and that’s a big if, I get elected, I hope Sean will walk into Stormont with me.  That’s how highly I think of the man.

Hopefully, this year we will see the killers of my son charged with his murder. Sean has also played his part in this when he brought me over to Washington, and spent 2 weeks lobbying the politicians to have a Congressional Hearing to investigate young Raymond’s murder.  It was a successful two weeks as we had that Hearing due to the respect Sean commands in the corridors of power in the USA.

I’ll not keep you any longer, but I want to say I’m proud to know Sean Mc Manus as a friend and ally.  To use a phrase of Sean’s, “God bless Ireland, North and South,” and all those good people who live here. 

There will always be a welcome in this Ulsterman’s house for you, Sean.  Thank you.

Raymond Mc Cord

Justice Minister Ford Responds to Fr. Mc Manus

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