Saoradh leader ‘targeted by MI5’

Posted by Jim on May 11, 2019

The offices of political party Saoradh in Derry have once again been
raided as MI5 are reportedly under orders to ‘bring down’ Thomas Ashe
Mellon, a 43-year-old republican activist who is a leading figure in
the party.

PSNI Special Branch police were involved in the search operation,
described by Saoradh as a “heavy handed rapid entry raid”. They claimed
it had followed a call by political leaders, including Sinn F閕n, for
British forces to put in place “a tangible plan of action against
republicans”.

The PSNI are now said to be working with British military intelligence
and the British Army’s Special Reconnaissance Regiment to jail Mr
Mellon. He was previously charged with ‘directing terrorism’ and found
not guilty by a judge in a prosecution that was described by a source
for the Sunday Life newspaper as “a holding charge” aimed at “getting
him off the streets”.

He was convicted recently of taking part in a banned Easter
commemoration last year through the Creggan, a conviction which is
currently under appeal.

Saoradh denounced the raid as “a culmination of unprofessional
journalism by some, a near hysterical clergy all being dragged
nose-first by the crocodile tears of former republicans”.

They said members have been under “overt surveillance” in recent weeks
as part of an effort “to thawrt any and all republican activism”.

“It is clear that our party headquarters, our party members and our
support base are being actively targeted in a futile attempt to stop
the public availing of the free services we offer,” they said.

“As local Republicans and members of our community made their way
towards Junior McDaid House this morning, colonial foot soldiers hurled
abuse. Proof, as if it were needed, that British Crown Forces are
intent on harassing and intimidating Republican communities.

“While so called elected representatives sit at home watching live
videos of Republicans being harassed and our community coming under
attack, our activists are on the ground responding. Attacks like this
will do nothing to thwart Republican activism and will only harden our
resolve.”