The Irish Republican Forum

Announcement: 32csm Raffle for the POWs

claymore — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:37:28 GMT

Fermanagh Cumann of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32csm) will be holding a raffle in the Stags Head bar Lisnaskea,Co.Fermanagh on Sunday the 12th of September at 9pm all proceeds are to go to the POWs.
There will be POW Mirrors and Crafts on display.All Republicans irrespective of Political differences are asked to come and support this Raffle.

Castro Misquoted in Corperate Media.

Republican Communist! — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:47:21 GMT

Seems the socialist revolution will continue in Cuba, despite what counter revolutionaries have claimed over the last few days.

Away back under your rock!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11265911

Castro 'misinterpreted' on Cuba economic model quote

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has said that his recent comment about Cuba's economic model was misinterpreted by a US reporter.

Mr Castro was quoted earlier this week by journalist Jeffrey Goldberg as saying that "the Cuban model doesn't even work for us anymore".

But speaking at the University of Havana, Mr Castro, 84, said he meant "exactly the opposite".

Mr Castro led Cuba for almost 50 years after the 1959 communist revolution.

He fell ill in 2006 and handed power to his brother Raul in 2008.

Since then, his public appearances have been rare, but in recent months he has made a series of public speeches and televised appearances.

Reducing state control

Mr Castro was speaking at the presentation of his autobiography at the University of Havana on Friday.

On Wednesday, Mr Goldberg, a journalist with The Atlantic magazine based in Washington, DC, wrote that he had asked Mr Castro during a recent interview if Cuba's model was still worth exporting to other countries.

The journalist, whom Mr Castro had personally invited to Cuba, wrote that Mr Castro answered: "The Cuban model doesn't even work for us anymore."

The alleged comment came as the current Cuban leader, Fidel's younger brother, Raul Castro, is reducing the state's control of the economy and allowing private ownership on the communist island.

Last month, Raul Castro announced to the National Assembly that small businesses would now be permitted and small business owners would have the right to employ and pay employees.

Question: Should Sinn F�in re-merge with the Workers Party?

Provo Bhoy — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:18:51 GMT

Just want to hear peoples views on this.

"We were right, but too soon. Gerry Adams is right, but too late�and Ruair� � Br�daigh will never be right" Cathal Goulding

Communist Manifesto (Videos)

TomBarry1921 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:18:40 GMT

Right-wing bigots go into overdrive

Costello39-77 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:07:25 GMT

You'd think they'd be worn out with all that frothing at the mouth and hysterical shrieking, but then blind hatred, bigotry and endless stupidity know no bounds.

Pastor Terry Jones has managed to generate headlines worldwide and equal measures of opprobrium for announcing his intention to burn the Muslim holy book today.

At time of writing he's playing a particularly pathetic game of chicken, saying that the inflammatory event was cancelled and then it wasn't and now it's "on hold."

Jones's church has a regular congregation of about 50 and apparently is often used to store furniture in.

No-one had heard of him a few weeks ago and all of a sudden his ugly mug is plastered across newspapers and beamed into living rooms around the world.

There's no such thing as bad publicity as they say and for every hundred people condemning his idiotic crypto-fascist tirades there will be some half-wit lapping it up and, this being the general way of things, probably reaching for the cheque book.

This, although deeply offensive to millions of Muslims, is nothing but a cynical publicity stunt dreamed up by a self-proclaimed prophet cum snake oil salesman.

One interesting note to the farcical saga however is the condemnation of the US government over the issue, attacking the deep disrespect such an action would show as well as - and I think this is probably foremost in their minds - create a massive potential backlash.

It's funny but I don't recall anywhere near the same level of condemnation when guards in Abu Ghraib and elsewhere were urinating on the Koran and flushing it down toilets. In fact it could be argued that such tactics were actively encouraged as a form of "interrogation technique."

But on to other matters. The right-wing Taxpayers Alliance has shown its true colours by palling up with the right-wing knuckle-draggers of the Palin Tea Party set.

Now to many of us who have observed the machinations of the TPA this came as no surprise.

This is a rabidly reactionary group that condemns taxation of the rich but has a senior member who doesn't pay tax in Britain.

Now it is teaming up with an organisation that believes Obama is a non-US Muslim and worships the cretinous Sarah Palin. Sounds like a marriage made in heaven.

And speaking of arch-reactionaries, this week will see the arrival on these shores of Pope Benedict XVI, the erstwhile cardinal Ratzinger, on the first ever state visit by the titular head of the world's largest cult.

The media hoo-hah surrounding this event is such that one could be forgiven for thinking this was the second coming, not a whistle-stop visit to shore up the troops, guilt-trip the faithful into compliance and further line the church's coffers.

To share in the joy of this divine visitation by the child abuse denier in chief, you are invited to buy a range of leisure wear including T-shirts and baseball caps with a variety of logos and devout designs.

You see! That's where Jesus went wrong, he didn't cash in on the merchandising.

They could have had a stall at the foot of Golgotha selling replica crown of thorns and do-it-yourself crucifixion kits - nails sold separately. The marketing possibilities were endless. They won't make that mistake again.

In a remarkably modern move for the Catholic church you can even purchase a papal DVD entitled The Journey. What is it about that title that conjures up images of total denial and criminal behaviour?

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/i...iew/full/95088

Is socialism practical?

TomBarry1921 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:58:56 GMT

By Daniel DeLeon
The Daily People
Sept. 3, 1906

The �practical� man sneers at socialism as visionary, unattainable, and without any immediate social value.

Immersed in his own private affairs, and judging the world from the limited horizon which they afford, he fails to perceive that socialism is the only vital economic, political and moral force of modern times.

For instance, the tendency of the age to interlock and internationalize trust interests, is a practical prelude to socialism, to whose developments the writings of socialists have contributed in no small degree. These have exposed the wastes of competition, and pointed out the inevitability of combination as a step in the evolution of society, and, in so doing, have given a more conscious aim to capitalist production, while preparing the way for the acceptance of concentration as a preliminary to social production and ownership.

Politically, we know that socialism is a factor, not so much in what it does itself, as in what it compels its opponents to do for and against it.

What are the laws enacted in the interests of labor�however sporadic and futile they may be�if not concessions of capitalism to the growing power of socialism? And what apparition induces the plutocrats of all countries to grant a measure of relief to their expropriated victims, if not the apparition of socialism?

Would the czar have granted the Duma were socialism not present in Russia today? What are �the public ownership of public utilities� and New Zealand government enterprises, of which there is so much laudation by middle-class economists and reactionists, but abortive attempts to prevent the consummation of full-fledged classconscious socialism? What was Mark Hanna�s aim�now carried out by his associates in the Civic Federation, in �Americanizing� the trade unions, if not to preserve the political and economic domination of his class from the political and economic triumph of socialism, by way of classconscious industrial unionism?

It can be said that, whatever good there is in the various social panaceas�in �welfare work,� �social service,� municipal beautification, tenement house and factory improvement�has been achieved largely through the pressure brought to bear upon capitalism by socialism. The necessity for quieting and suppressing dissatisfaction favorable to socialist agitation is always present with the capitalist class.

Morally, the practical effects of socialism are reflected in private philanthropy, tainted money, and other discussions involving principle and conduct; antimilitarism, packing house exposures, and a hundred and one other manifestations in favor of greater honesty, decency and peace. The millions that Carnegie and Rockefeller gave to education and religion are the vain appeasers of a �social conscience� stirred into active protest by socialist philosophy and morality. They are the semirestitutions of stolen social wealth made under pressure of the new outlooks on the new origin and functions of wealth that are primarily due to the influence of socialism on modern thought. Read the tainted money discussion, read the discussions on antimilitarism, on packing house exposures, and note the influence of socialism on both sides of those controversies, and be convinced that socialism is the greatest moral force of the age, permeating and influencing the arguments and actions of its opponents.

Just as the American nation was impossible as long as King George ruled, so also is socialism impossible of complete demonstration as long as capitalism holds sway. To have asked the exponents of American independence to prove independence practical under King George would have been unjust; yet, the opponents of socialism ask socialists to prove socialism practical under capitalism.

Despite this handicap, however, such is the evolution of capitalism under socialist influence, that the socialist can and does prove all that the practical man demands of him. Socialism can and does meet all the standards applied to it.

Socialism is practical, in the best sense of the term; a living, vital force of inestimable value to society.

http://www2.cddc.vt.edu/marxists/arc...906/060903.htm

Video Maggie "Scumbag" Thatcher

donnlass — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:01:51 GMT

While searching for Irish Rebel Videos on Youtube, I came accross Christy Moore giving vent about the oul hag...

Chilean MPs join hunger protest by indigenous detainees

freethepeople1916 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:55:42 GMT

Four opposition congressmen in Chile have a joined a hunger strike by 34 indigenous Mapuche prisoners.

The Mapuches are protesting against being charged under anti-terrorist laws for their role in a land dispute.

They say they are political prisoners and should not be treated as terrorist suspects or face trial in military courts.

The government has called the congressmen's decision "irresponsible and populist".

President Sebastian Pinera has introduced a bill to modify the anti-terrorism legislation, which was established during the 1973-1990 military rule of Gen Augusto Pinochet.

But the Mapuche prisoners say they want deeper reforms, as well as direct dialogue with the government.

Most of the prisoners have been refusing food for two months, causing them to lose up to 18kg (40lb) each.

They are in jails across southern Chile awaiting trial on charges ranging from arson to armed assault.

The current anti-terror legislation allows prosecutors to define such crimes as terrorism, bringing harsher sentences and the possibility of trial in military courts.
Church mediation

The four left-wing congressmen are all members of the human rights commission of Chile's lower house of parliament.

Congressmen Tucapel Jimenez, Hugo Gutierrez, Sergio Aguilo and Manuel Monsalve joined the protest on Thursday during a visit to some of the the indigenous prisoners at a jail in Temuco.

The government has so far ruled out negotiations, but has asked the Roman Catholic Church to mediate.

The Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous minority, making up around 5% of the population and based in the south of the country.

They resisted colonial rule for centuries and were only conquered in the 19th century, when most of their lands were confiscated.

In recent years Mapuche activists have blocked roads and staged land occupations to try to reclaim their ancestral territories from farmers and forestry companies.

Farms have been burned and forestry machinery destroyed, and the police say they have found guns and ammunition in raids on Mapuche homes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11255918

Question: How would Sinn Fein at Westminister affect your views?

Bottle_of_Smoke — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:27:47 GMT

Bit of a wee spin off from the other thread a chairde.

Say Sinn Fein announced that they would sit at Westminister. Perhaps only way to claim expenses or wanted to highlight the will for independence in Ireland etc.

I know it isn't the the main issue but say the oath had been changed - Perhaps that they only had to swear allegience to the good of the citizens of the six counties, something like that.

How do you think you would react? Would you stand by them to keep republican/nationalist support united?

Or perhaps would you look to a different party, even a new one?

Haddock to go on trial over English murder

freethepeople1916 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:17:41 GMT

Alleged Special Branch informer and suspected former UVF leader Mark Haddock will go on trial in the New Year to face charges arising out of the murder of UDA chief Tommy English.

Up to 13 other people will also face charges connected with the shooting of Mr English during a loyalist feud in 2000.

Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart told both prosecution and defence lawyers they should "be ready for the start of the trial on the first working day of the New Year".

The 14 accused, nine of whom including Haddock, face charges of UVF membership, have been implicated in the catalogue of terror offences by brothers Robert and David Stewart.

They are currently serving minimum three-year life sentences for their part in the murder of Mr English who was gunned down in his own Ballyduff home on October 31 2000 during a bloody UVF - UDA feud at the time.

The two brothers have turned 'Queen's evidence' and will be giving evidence against their alleged former accomplices.

In all Haddock and the others deny a total of 41 charges arising out of the alleged activities of the UVF in the north Belfast and Newtownabbey areas.

Haddock, who was kept separate from his co-accused and flanked by prison guards outside the dock, denied the murder of Mr English, along with eight others.

All nine also deny being members of the UVF.

The five others deny charges such as perverting the course of justice, assisting offenders and possessing items intended for terrorism.

The nine who deny the murder, membership and offences such as wounding with intent, possessing guns and hijacking are:

Mark Haddock (41) with an address as c/o maghaberry prison
John Bond (43) from Essex Court, Carrick
Ronald Bowe (33) from Ross House in the Mount Vernon estate
Samuel Higgins (34) from The Meadow, Antrim
Philip Laffin (33) from Bridge Street, Antrim
Jason Loughlin (34) from Bryson Court, Newtownabbey
David Millar (38) from Upritchard Court, Bangor
Darren Moore (40) from Mount Vernon Park
Alexander Wood (34) from Milewater Way, Newtownabbey
The five who deny offences such as assisting offenders and perverting justice are:
William Hinds (45) from Ballycraigy Gardens, Newtownabbey
David McCrum (31) from Beechgrove Drive, Newtownabbey
Neil Pollock (34) from Fortwilliam Gardens, Belfast
David Smart (36) from Milewater Close, Newtownabbey
Mark Thompson (35) from Ballyvesey Green, Newtownabbey.

Has the terror group really changed its spots?

freethepeople1916 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:55:13 GMT

The Reverend Robert Beckett is not known for pulling his punches.

In his north Belfast parishes of Crosscollyer and Somerton Road, he is a Presbyterian minister by day, and paramilitary watchdog by night.

He regularly holds the UDA leadership to account for the activities of its membership, and concedes, that recently, things have been changing.

"I have my own sources within the community" he explains, "and there is no doubt in my mind that the UDA in north Belfast has expelled drug dealers, it has stopped racketeering, it has stopped collecting money as an organisation.

"It has put a stop to the money-lenders, some of whom were charging interest at 100%. I am absolutely convinced of that".

'Scrutiny'

Reverend Beckett talks with the type of fearlessness typical of religious ministers.

The UDA leadership acknowledges his scrutiny of their activities.

"He's not afraid to pull you up on something, and he hears about what's happening even before we do," said Jackie McDonald, the man widely considered to be the most senior of six UDA leaders.

Reverend Beckett has been ministering in the north Belfast area for 40 years, and became closely involved with the UDA following the death of 16-year-old Dean Clarke.

He had been sold the drug known as 'blues' in the loyalist Tiger's Bay district.

"At that stage the UDA were heavily involved in drug dealing," said Beckett, "and the mothers went to the UDA and said, 'the war is over, give it up, or get out'".
uda flag The UDA leadership acknowledges his scrutiny of their activities.

That was three years ago, but according to this terrier-like preacher, change has finally come about.

It is a view reflected by the head of the International Monitoring Commission (IMC), Lord Alderdice.

'Substantial steps'

"Despite the peace process, there was a recognition by the leadership of the UDA that some of their people were still involved in crime.

"They took substantial steps. They expelled some people, some left and some changed.

"Not everybody has changed, but certainly at a leadership level there has been some very impressive movement".

So what about recent reports that the UDA expelled a number of families in the Tiger's Bay area?

How does that square with a peaceful approach for former paramilitaries?

"Those reports were not accurate," said Reverend Beckett.

"That was a case involving alcohol problems and other difficulties."

I quiz him about how he can be so sure, given that in the past UDA 'brigadiers' in sharp suits have met religious leaders and politicians promising peace, only to revert to type.

"What you say is quite true," he concedes, "but this time I have seen the evidences of it, and I check regularly within the community and I am told that this time they are doing what they claim they are doing."

I attended a curious meeting in Duncairn Gardens in north Belfast last week.

Two UDA 'brigadiers' sat beside the PSNI's district commander for north Belfast.

Seats away were members of the International Monitoring Commission.
An end to violence

All were listening to an address by a former IRA heavy hitter in the form of Gerard O'Reilly from the New Lodge.

The topic?

How loyalists, the police and republicans had managed to bring almost nightly violence in the area to an end.

After the gathering, the IMC sat in a circle at the corner of the room, with the two 'brigadiers' and other UDA members, to discuss progress.

Such a casual shooting of the breeze would have been inconceivable a few years ago.

But some decommissioning has taken place, and trust between the parties clearly has been established.

In his six years reporting on the UDA and groups like it, Lord Alderdice has never been so up-beat.

"It's a very positive picture, and I think it is very important that people outside Northern Ireland, indeed some people within Northern Ireland, realise there is a very good news story here, as well as some difficulties that remain."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11265130

Criminal escapes 'UDA' van abduction

freethepeople1916 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:25:57 GMT

A known criminal escaped an abduction attempt by alleged loyalist paramilitaries armed with a hammer, a court has heard.

Police claimed the man could have been seriously injured or killed if the suspects had succeeded in getting him into a van in Belfast on Wednesday.

One of those accused of trying to seize him was remanded in custody after appearing before the city's Magistrates' Court.

David Bell, 37, of Moorfield Street, Belfast, denies charges of unlawfully attempting to take the man away by force, and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a hammer.

The alleged offences were committed at around 9pm in the Ardgowan Street area.

A detective constable who said he could connect Bell to the charges opposed bail due to the risk of any further crimes.

He told the court: "The injured party, who himself is a fairly well-known criminal, would say he had received a number of PM1 threats against his life by members of the Ulster Defence Association.

"He believes this person here, plus the other person we are still trying to arrest, is a member of the Ulster Defence Association."

The officer confirmed Bell has not been charged with paramilitary membership, though he pointed out the investigation was ongoing.

The alleged abductors turned up in a van, ran towards their target and told him to get inside, the court heard.

"He obviously wasn't going to do this and was able to get away," the detective said.

"If (the suspects) had taken this man away the likelihood would have been serious injury or potentially death."

The officer disclosed that three witnesses were prepared to give evidence in the case.

He claimed: "These people have come forward and made statements. Therefore a similar thing could easily occur again."

During cross-examination the detective confirmed Bell made no admissions during interview and had accused the witnesses of lying.

Defence solicitor Pat Kelly argued: "Mr Bell is a suitable candidate for bail. He is denying these charges."

The court was told CCTV footage of the alleged incident was still being sought.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall refused to grant bail to allow police some time to study any available material.

Bell was remanded in custody to appear again via video-link next week.

http://www.u.tv/News/Criminal-escape...1-a509282628f5

"There are no marxists in SF" ?????

Tom�is Joad — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:15:07 GMT

I'm always hearing to quotes on this site and elsewhere

1. "there are no marxists in SF" attributed to Gerry Adams

2. "They havent gone away you know" also attributed to Adams but once I heard it was actually Francis Mackey who said it.

Both quotes are used regularly with no source and I have had great difficulty finding any source secondary or primary. Can anyone clear this up. The only thing I've found close to #1 is Gerry telling TIME in 1979 that SF wasnt a marxist party which is not the same thing.

Organising the Fightback Against the Tory Assault

Newry Republican — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:08:09 GMT

10/09/10

In 1948, despite the massive debt amassed during the Second World War, the British government of the day introduced the Health Service Act, creating the NHS and laying the foundation for the �welfare state� as we know it today. (Though, like the Education Act of the same period, it had to be introduced into the Six Counties over the opposition of many within the unionist regime at Stormont.)

Sixty years later, and the British government of today, the Tory-Lib Dem coalition, is working to take the welfare state apart. The legacy of Margaret Thatcher is being evoked often by Tory MPs, with a proud acclamation that the government of David Cameron is going further than Thatcher�s ever did, and faster. They are able to safely use the issue of dealing with the current deficit as a cover for their ideological mission.

They can also use the �common sense� arguments that are regularly peddled in the mainstream media without question, such as cuts being inevitable or the public sector being too big and in need of trimming, giving the Tory-led government free rein for its slash and burn policies.

The attack on the welfare state is out in the open. Despite the fact that the number of people claiming unemployment benefits continues to rise in the Six Counties, over 500 social security jobs are due to be cut by the end of next March. The British work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, has also suggested that that the unemployed would have to work in order to get their benefits. The outworkings of this have been seen recently, when it came out that fifteen unemployed people had been sent to work in a local retail store for their dole, while the permanent staff in the store had their hours slashed from 36 per week to 20.

Conservative estimates have it that around 40,000 jobs will be lost over the next four years in the Six Counties, 30,000 of them in the public sector as a result of the British government�s plans. It�s being predicted that the British government will cut the block grant, which acts as the Six-County assembly�s budget, by around �2 billion [�2.4 billion], though the full extent of the cuts won�t be apparent until British chancellor George Osbourne announces his four-year comprehensive spending review in late October. However, the prospect of increasing numbers of unemployed people forced to work for minimal pay, while undermining the livelihoods of other workers, should be enough to stir anyone into action.

The trade union movement in the Six Counties has begun to rally over the past few months against the Tory attack on the welfare state and on working people. The work has begun with awareness-raising campaigns to challenge the myths on the necessity of cuts. On August 12, members of NIPSA across the Six Counties engaged in lunchtime pickets against public service cuts. They have produced a leaflet entitled �Who suffers most from public spending cuts?�.

Unison has produced its own alternative budget, �We can afford a fairer society�, which challenges the received wisdom that cuts are necessary and desirable, and argues that proper investment must be made into essential services to ensure economic recovery. And the Six-County committee of ICTU has produced a leaflet entitled �Cuts Myths Debunked� that exposes many of the common myths used to support cutting jobs and public services.

In the Six-County context, the biggest myth that needs to be challenged is that the public sector here is somehow much too large. The public sector does make up two-thirds of the Six-County economy, however public sector workers in the Six Counties represent only 12.5 per cent of the population, compared with 11.2 per cent for Scotland, 10.5 for Wales and 9.1 for England. The public sector in the Six Counties is not bloated at all, the issue is merely that the private sector is so small, made up predominantly by small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) that are themselves dependant on the public sector to a large extent.

Public spending in Britain and occupied Ireland is not particularly big when compared to other countries as well. Among the European countries, public spending in Britain and occupied Ireland is lower than that of Slovenia, Hungary, Norway, Luxemburg, Portugal, Finland, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France, and Sweden.

The European Trade Union Confederation has called for a day of action for September 29th in opposition to austerity measures and attacks on the working class being imposed throughout Europe. As part of this day, and as part of the developing campaign against the Tory axemen, unions in the Six Counties will be organising lunchtime rallies in both Belfast and Derry.

There will be more rallies and protests when Osbourne�s spending review is announced in October. These large events will only make up a small part of the campaign against the Tory onslaught though, a campaign that will without doubt last the lifetime of the current British government. The unions must not dismiss widescale industrial action as a tactic in this fight. And, if we are to be successful, the fight must be taken up by every constituency in the community, by workers inside and outside of the unions, by local community activists, by the unemployed, by students and by the retired.

A message must be sent clearly to the Tories and their Lib Dem partners, and those in the banks and the multinational corporations who are behind the neoliberal agenda they serve, a message must be sent that healthcare and education, and welfare, are a right for all people, and not a privilege only for those who can afford it.

http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest100910.html

RAAD 'abduct' convicted drug dealer

gerard_black00 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:36:08 GMT

Published Date: 10 September 2010
A convicted drug dealer has claimed he has given up the drugs trade after being abducted by Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) this week.
Gavin Nixon, who was targetted in a pipebomb attack at his home in Hazelbank in June, claimed he was abducted and interrogated by a group of masked men on Monday night.

The Derry man was warned by the vigilante group earlier this year and had fled
ADVERTISEMENT
the country but returned to the city in June when his home was attacked.

After the pipebomb attack, the Derry man claimed he had given up drug dealing but has now admitted that he continued to sell drugs until this week.

Explaining what happened, he said a hood was placed over his head and was taken to an unknown location where he was questioned about his involvement in drug dealing.

The self-confessed drug dealer, who previously spent a year in prison for drug offences, said he told the RAAD members who abducted him that he now plans to stop dealing.

"I was abducted out of the Waterside on Monday by RAAD," he said. "I was involved in the drugs trade right up to September 6. When RAAD got me, they put a hood firmly over my head and tied my hands. The men then took me somewhere safe for them to put to me what I was at in the drugs trade," he said.

Mr. Nixon also appealed to anyone currently involved in the drugs trade to take heed of warnings from RAAD.

"These boys mean business," he said. "Don't be under any illusion that these men don't know who you are as they knew my every move for the past year or so,."

Mr Nixon said he was not harmed during his ordeal and warned other drug dealers to tell the truth when dealing with RAAD.

"If you're in contact with these men, don't tell them lies."

http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/...ler.6524821.jp