Headlines From Belfast Newsletter Sun 22nd Jun 2014

Belfast Newsletter News Serious road traffic collision in west Belfast A serious one vehicle traffic collision has taken place in west Belfast this morning. Read more... Gerry Conlon of Guildford Four dies Gerry Conlon, who was wrongly convicted of the 1974 IRA Guildford pub bombing, has died aged 60, his family have announced. Mr Conlon and the rest of the Guildford Four served 14 years of a life sentence for the attack which killed five people and injured 65, before their convictions were overturned in 1989. He was later played by Daniel Day-Lewis in the film In The Name Of The Father. Mr Conlon’s family issued a statement through his lawyer Gareth Peirce. It said on Saturday: “This morning we lost our Gerry. “He brought life, love, intelligence, wit and strength to our family through its darkest hours. “He helped us to survive what we were not meant to survive. “We recognise that what he achieved by fighting for justice for us had a far, far greater importance - it forced the world’s closed eyes to be opened to injustice; it forced unimaginable wickedness to be acknowledged; we believe it changed the course of history. “We thank him for his life and we thank all his many friends for their love.” Mr Conlon died in his home in the Falls Road area of Belfast after a lengthy illness. Alex Attwood, SDLP Stormont Assembly member for the area, paid tribute to him. “He’d given an awful lot but yet had so much more to give,” Mr Attwood said. “What he learned from his time in prison and campaign for release was the importance of not only raging against his own injustice but fighting for those who had also suffered miscarriages of justice.” Mr Attwood added: “He’s now with his dad and his mum.” Mr Conlon’s father Giuseppe, who was jailed as part of a discredited investigation into a supposed bomb making family - the Maguire Seven, died after five years in jail. His mother Sarah, a tireless campaigner for their freedom, died in 2008, aged 82. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams expressed his shock and deep sadness at the news. “Gerry and his father Giuseppe were two of the most infamous examples of miscarriages of justice by the British political and judicial system,” Mr Adams said. “Their story was told graphically in the film In The Name Of The Father. “To his family and friends I want to extend my sincere condolences.” In 2009 Mr Conlon wrote about the personal and emotional battles he suffered as a result of his incarceration and fight for freedom. He suffered two breakdowns, attempted suicide and became addicted to drugs and alcohol following his release. Mr Conlon also only began enduring nightmares after securing freedom. “The ordeal has never left me,” he said. The jailing of Conlon and the other members of the Guildford Four - Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill and Carole Richardson - is considered the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history. They were jailed for life in 1975 for the devastating attack on the Horse and Groom pub in the Surrey town which killed four soldiers and a civilian. But they were freed in October 1989 after the Court of Appeal quashed their sentences amid doubts raised about the police evidence against them. An investigation by Avon and Somerset Police found serious flaws in the way Surrey Police handled the case. As he emerged free from the Court of Appeal Gerry Conlon declared: “I have been in prison for something I did not do. I am totally innocent.” In July 2000 Prime Minister Tony Blair became the first senior politician to apologise to the Guildford Four. Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Eamon Gilmore, also extended his condolences. “I am saddened to hear of the death of Gerry Conlon and send my condolences to his family and friends,” the Tanaiste said. “Mr Conlon suffered a grave miscarriage of justice along with his father, Giuseppe, Paul Hill, Carol Richardson and Paddy Armstrong. “In later years Gerry drew from his experiences to campaign on behalf of others with the group Miscarriages of Justice Organisation. “His loss will be felt both within the community in west Belfast and across the world with all those who work in pursuit of justice.” Read more... Ex Northern Ireland chief of West Yorkshire Police suspended over contracts probe The chief constable of West Yorkshire Police has been suspended pending an investigation by his former force in Northern Ireland. Mark Gilmore, who grew up in Belfast and spent most of his police career in Northern Ireland, was suspended by the West Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson. In a statement, the PCC said: “This morning [Friday] I suspended the chief constable of West Yorkshire, Mark Gilmore. “The reason for this suspension is as a result of information I have received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) arising from an investigation announced by them earlier this week. “I would like to stress that the suspension of the chief constable is a necessity in the public interest until the full facts have been established. “I have also referred this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). “I sincerely hope that the PSNI investigation is concluded quickly in a way that could allow me to lift the suspension and Mr Gilmore to return to his post and continue the vital work to ensure communities are safer and feel safer. “I will be keeping the suspension under review as the PSNI investigation proceeds and in the meantime I have asked deputy chief constable, Dee Collins, to act up as chief constable for West Yorkshire. “It would be inappropriate for me to make any further comments at this time.” Mr Gilmore, born in 1964 and from the Shankill Road area of Belfast, attended the University of Ulster and Harvard in the United States. He joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1983, which has since become the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In a statement released by the Chief Police Officers Staff Association, Mr Gilmore said: “I wish to make clear that I have not been informed of my status in connection to the investigation being conducted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). “I have conducted myself with the honesty and integrity expected of someone in my position and have 31 years unblemished professional record. “I have fully co-operated with the investigation and will continue to do so. I hope to work with the Police and Crime Commissioner to bring about a quick and positive resolution to this matter so I can return to serving the people of West Yorkshire as soon as possible.” According to the West Yorkshire Police website, during his years as an officer “he has gained wide policing experience in roles such as uniform beat and patrol, drug squad, criminal investigation, intelligence, HQ management posts, roads policing, tactical support groups, firearms and public order”. He was part of the RUC’s Fundamental Review Team in 1995, led by the then deputy chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Its work played a major role in the reform of operational policing in Northern Ireland. His career progressed, working as a staff officer for the deputy and then the chief constable before promotion to chief inspector and road policing commander for the Greater Belfast area. Mr Gilmore then became a superintendent and as the commander for the Belfast Region Tactical Support Group, he took charge of a number of major public order deployments. He was further promoted, working in Lisburn, went on secondment with Lancashire Police and in 2008 he was appointed as chief of staff to Acpo president Sir Ken Jones. Five years ago he became assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, then deputy chief of Northumbria Police in 2011. He was appointed as the chief constable of West Yorkshire Police last year, replacing Sir Norman Bettison. Mr Gilmore, married with two grown up sons, is a keen runner and enjoys sailing. An IPCC spokesman said: “The IPCC has received a referral from the police and crime commissioner for West Yorkshire that relates to the conduct of West Yorkshire Police’s chief constable. “An assessment is being carried out to determine whether there is any requirement for an IPCC investigation or oversight.” It is understood the move has been prompted by a PSNI investigation into the awarding of police vehicle contracts in Northern Ireland. Seven men were arrested by detectives working on the case this week and questioned on suspicion of offences including bribery, misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office. Mr Gilmore was not one of those detained. Retired PSNI assistant chief constable Duncan McCausland was arrested. After he was released on Thursday night, pending a report being sent to prosecutors for assessment, Mr McCausland strenuously denied wrongdoing and stressed his determination to prove his innocence. Two civilian suspects, aged 34 and 54, detained in England and taken to Northern Ireland for questioning have also been released pending reports to prosecutors. As have a 48-year-old serving police officer and a 37-year-old civilian member of police staff in Northern Ireland. Both have been suspended from work. Another man arrested in Northern Ireland, a 62-year-old civilian, has also been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS). A 71-year-old civilian arrested in Co Down on Thursday remained in police custody on Friday evening. Read more... Tour of the North passes without major incident A major Orange Order parade in north Belfast has passed off without disorder despite a tense atmosphere at times. Read more... Delegation's concern over parade impasse A number of senior unionist representatives have met with the Parades Commission and the chief constable designate to discuss the on-going impasse over a north Belfast Orange Order parade. 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