Sinn Fein leaders 'backed raids'

[emad]

Senior Sinn Fein members were involved in sanctioning robberies including the Northern Bank raid, the Independent Monitoring Commission has said.

The four strong commission's report said the party should bear its share of the blame for a series of robberies.

Although it seemed "paltry", it said the government should consider imposing financial sanctions on Sinn Fein.

The IMC backs the police assertion the IRA was behind the £26m raid in Belfast in December - a claim the IRA denies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4253627.stm

[Bridget Burke]

1. So--when's the trial?

We just need to take their word for it!

[Stella_Artois]

2. They were justified in doing this

That bank was part of the machinery of oppression.

Yeah, thats the ticket.

[emad]

3. London Evening Standard: Sinn Fein 'sanctioned bank robbery'

10 February 2005

The commission, which monitors paramilitary activity, did not identify Sinn Fein members in senior positions in the IRA.

But its report, which recommended financial penalties against Sinn Fein, said the party now faced a stark choice over the future direction of republicanism.

"In our view Sinn Fein must bear its share of responsibility for all of the incidents," the IMC said.

"Some of its senior members, who are also senior members of the Provisional IRA, were involved in sanctioning the series of robberies."

http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/16520892?source=PA

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

4. Where is the evidence of these "series of robberies"?

Typical Brit logic, blame the IRA first then ask questions..