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Sinn Fein Councillors Call For Kelly Release
Sinn Fein councillors in Londonderry are to propose a motion today calling for the release of Shankill Bomber, Sean Kelly.
Demanding Kelly's Release
In a display of that oh so typical Sinn Fein victimhood mentality, they've compared the re-jailing of this convicted murderer to the mistakes made with internment of thirty years ago (not that I'd accuse Sinn Fein of living off the past).
"We're asking that the council demands the immediate release from Maghaberry Prison of Belfast republican, Sean Kelly. We note with concern that charges have not been brought against Sean Kelly nor has evidence supporting the decision to incarcerate him been made public.
We contend that the circumstances surrounding Sean Kelly's imprisonment effectively equate the failed policy of interning Irish citizens without trial and we consequently demand a complete end to the practice."
Paul Fleming, Sinn Fein councillor, Derry City Council
Interestingly, Sinn Fein kicked up no such stink about internment when Johnny Adair was imprisoned in similar circumstances. While this may be viewed as 'whataboutery' I wish to point out only that Sinn Fein exercise double standards on these issues, and rather than being worried about human rights, they simply want to see 'one of theirs' back on the streets.
What Evidence?
The DUP Lononderry councillor Gregory Campbell, largely in keeping with my own views, has said DUP councillors are unlikely to support the motion, but called on the PSNI and NIO to make the evidence public. He said "If they are genuinely serious accusations then we will have to see how Sinn Fein reacts to that."
I totally agree. How could Sinn Fein argue in the face of the evidence has been gathered? That said, it wouldn't be unlike them.
Follow up:
I don't know how these things work, perhaps the evidence must be kept secret until the Sentence Review Commission decides Kelly's fate, but surely by not publicising the evidence the authorities are handing free propaganda to Sinn Fein.
'Decent' Nationalists... ?
The SDLP haven't indicated what way they'll vote, but have said said he should be treated the same as any other prisoner under the terms of the agreement.
"If there's no evidence against him, the Secretary of State should release him but if there is evidence against him, the case against him should be heard by the Sentence Review Commissioners without delay.
They can either confirm the Secretary of State's decision or allow Sean Kelly to be released. That is what the law requires and is what should happen in this case."Pat Ramsey, SDLP leader on Derry City Council
Anf of course this is exactly what will happen. To quote the Sentence Review Commission's information on the Recall of Released Prisoners:
"If the Commissioners think that the released prisoner has not broken, and is not likely to break, the conditions of his licence, they will confirm his licence (to remain free): otherwise they will revoke it."
Sentence Review Commission Website
So what's the big deal? This will let us all see the truth about the SDLP. Are they more concerned with out-greening Sinn Fein, or upholding common standards of decency? By all means back calls for the publication of evidence, but you can't simply say "release our murderer" regardless of what evidence may have been gathered - it's insane!