The children of some former IRA Volunteers are being barred from entering the United States because of their parents’ background. Jim Donnelly, who was released under the Good Friday peace Agreement over 20 years ago, said his teenage son was rejected for a visa as a result of his role in the armed struggle.
Mr Donnelly told the BBC’s Talkback programme his 15-year-old son was “extremely disappointed” when his temporary visa was rejected.
“I was in prison before he was born,” said Mr Donnelly. “A 15 year old who happens to have a father who was involved in a conflict 22 years ago – is that fair?” he asked.
“It politicises young people when they then begin to ask: ‘Why was I rejected?’ My son has been denied over something that happened before he was born.”
Sinn Féin’s Carál Ní Chuilín, who spent four years in jail, said her youngest son is also one of those who have had issues entering the US.
She said he had been successful in getting through the clearance process, the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). However, when he got to check-in he was told he was “barred”.
Her son then went to US Consulate where he was asked questions about his mother, she said.
Sinn Féin’s Niall Ó Donnghaile said the US government had played a central role in “ensuring the delivery” of the Good Friday Agreement, but the failure to address discrimination against young people whose parents or grandparents have conflict-related convictions was “a failure to fully realise the spirit and the practical implementation” of the 1998 peace deal.
He said he had written to the Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee of the Dublin parliament, asking it to “engage with the US Embassy” about the situation.
A former senior military figure who was a commander in the Parachute Regiment during the Ballymurphy massacre in West Belfast has told an inquest that he has no recollection of the regiment shooting ten people dead.The inquest is examining the killing of 10 innocent civilians in the Ballymurphy area by British soldiers over a space of 36 hours following the introduction of internment without trial in August 1971.A statement from Colonel Derek Wilford (pictured), who commanded the first battalion of the Parachute Regiment during the period, was read to the court this week.In relation to the deaths, Colonel Wilford said: “This comes as a complete surprise to me”.He said he could recall that his whole battalion had been interviewed after the events of Bloody Sunday, a second massacre in Derry five months later in which 14 civilians were killed.However, he said he could not remember it having happened after Ballymurphy. “I found it rather surprising when I heard how many people had been killed”, his statement added. “None of that information came my way. Had it come my way, it would’ve been quite serious.”Wilford lives abroad and reportedly cannot be compelled to attend the inquest. His lawyers have claimed he is unwell.The evidence of several British soldiers to the inquest have been marked by falsehoods. The evidence of one had to be halted this week following unexpected changes in the details of his testimony.Witness M365 gave a different platoon number to Belfast Coroner’s Court, as well as responding that he “cannot remember” to a large number of questions from counsel.When asked when and why he had changed his mind on several matters, M365 was unable to explain. He repeatedly responded “I can’t remember”. Coroner Siobhan Keegan was forced to stop the testimony, describing the situation as “entirely unsatisfactory” and a “discourtesy to everyone involved with the case”.A barrister for one of the victims, later confronted the witness with evidence from the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, as well a questionable disciplinary record. The court heard M365 was convicted of six counts of fraud for falsifying expenses, and had accepted a discharge from the British Army in 1984 after beig demoted to private.Fiona Doherty QC, acting for the family of the family of John Laverty, suggested he was “not capable or worthy of belief”.Another soldier, known as M68, last week also contradicted his previous statements. He withdrew a previous admission that he had seen soldiers firing their weapons, instead claiming he had seen no shots fired.Cross-questioning the witness, another lawyer for the families, Karen Quinlivan, put it to M68: “You are basically lying to protect soldiers.”Two military witnesses have also failed to appear entirely. A soldier, referred to as M171, had been due to give evidence about the deaths of Joseph Corr and John Laverty on the Upper Whiterock Road. Soldier M57 also did not appear at court to give evidence. According to the coroner, both are to face “enforcement steps”.
VFW POST 551 BENEFIT FOR FIREFIGHTER CHRISTOPHER SLUTMAN’
There will be a benefit in honor of Firefighter Christopher Slutman on Saturday, June 29, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM, at Mooney’s Public House, 82-11 Eliot Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379. A $40 donation includes beer, wine, soda and finger food. All proceeds go to the Slutman family. To send a donation, please contact VFW551@yahoo.com or mail to Haspel Staab VFW Post 551, 61-55 69th Street, Middle Village, NY 11379. Checks should be written out to Haspel Staab VFW Post 551.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication Ceremony will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter George R. Scheer, Engine 249. The dedication will take place in the quarters of Engine 249 & Ladder 113, 491 Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
FDNY MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION CIGAR NIGHT
On Monday, August 19, 2019, from 1900-2300 hours, the FDNY Marine Corps Association will host their 1st Annual Cigar Night at Vetro on the Bay (open air rooftop venue), 164-49 Cross Bay Blvd in Howard Beach, NY 11414. Cost is $130 per person and includes 4-hour open bar with premium liquor, beer and wine, 4-hour buffet catered by Russo’s on the Bay, and 4 cigars plus cutter. There will also be raffle prizes and a 50/50 throughout the night. Space is limited to the first 150 people, so this is a first come, first serve event. No money will be collected at the door, so you must RSVP with either Joe Bachert at 631-605-1444 or Frank Ancona at 718-986-9822 and send checks payable to FDNY Marine Corps Association to reserve your spot. Checks should be mailed to FDNY Marine Corps Association, P.O. Box 1014, Smithtown, NY 11787.
AUDITION FOR THE 2021 OFFICIAL FDNY CALENDAR OF HEROES
Casting calls for the 2021 Official FDNY Calendar of Heroes have been scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2019, and Thursday, August 1, 2019. Email FDNYCalendarOfHeroes@fdny.nyc.gov to fill out an application. Applicants will receive an emailed response after July 1 with location and start time. WORLD POLICE AND FIRE GAMES ATHLETIC PACKAGESAll orders for the 2019 World Police and Fire Games Athletic Packages must be placed by July 1, 2019. For participating athletes with proof of registration, packages will cost $125. For non-participants, the cost is $250. Payment must be received via check or Venmo before your order is placed. To place your order, contact Antoinette Fatone at afatone@ufanyc.org or 212-545-6974.
