ANNOUNCEMENT OF “PLASTIC JUSTICE” REPORT PROMPTS RELEASE OF NEW EVIDENCE
Posted by Jim on October 19, 2020
Martin Galvin – AOH National Freedom for All Ireland Chair
Documents Reveals British Home Office Suppressed Video for fear of validating charges of “shoot-to-kill” policy in Northern Ireland New York, NY 10/19/2020The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), has issued the following statement by National Freedom for All Ireland Chairman Martin Galvin: “The recent announcement by the AOH of the broadcast release of the “Plastic Justice” report on October 24 has prompted the release of new and damming evidence of the coverup involving the use of plastic bullets and broader British policy in Northern Ireland.”A historian who had uncovered documents while doing independent research at Britain’s Kew Archives, has forwarded new evidence after learning of the “Plastic Justice” report launch. The records were made shortly before and after the August 12,1984 killing of John Downes by a plastic bullet fired fired into his chest at point blank range by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.. “In a handwritten memo dated August 16,1984, British Home Office official Anthony Townsend, directed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to withhold film of the actual shooting, because the footage would ‘inevitably increase the belief that that a shoot-to-kill policy was in operation’.Theses and other records will now be part of the launch and have also been forwarded to solicitors for the Downes family, for use in their legal battle for an inquest. “”Plastic Justice” will describe how the British label victims as criminals or rioters to justify murders and intimidate witnesses. Crucial evidence is withheld. Inquests which could provide truth on these murders are denied. Not one British trooper or Royal Ulster Constabulary member was ever found guilty for any of these 17 killings, even where victims were children. Both Frances Meehan and Mark Kelly will speak about their personal experiences, fighting for justice. These newly discovered documents will give added weight to these charges.”This launch will be watched by Hibernians across the United States along with members of other prominent Irish American organizations. The program will Relatives for Justice Director Mark Thompson, Frances Meehan, (sister of Michael Donnelly) and Mark Kelly, (brother of Carol Ann Kelly). The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, led by National Presidents Danny O’Connell and Karen Keane, are co-hosting the launch in a virtual webinar and YouTube broadcast, beginning at 4pm Irish time and 11am in New York. at Ancient Order of Hibernian in America Live on YouTubeThe AOH is proud to sponsor the release of “Plastic Justice” and are gratified that it has already born tangible returns in the release of this new evidence that will aid the long overdue quest for justice.
About The Ancient Order of Hibernians Founded in 1836 with membership in all 50 states, the Ancient Order of Hibernians is the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States
–