Red Tops Distort The Facts

national | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Monday December 11, 2006 16:25 by Ian Greene

Upon reading one of the redtops (tabloids) on the weekend of 3rd Sept 2006 I came across an interesting article by journalist John Mooney. The article led me on to search for a website referred to in the article. The website itself was interesting and gave an indepth background into the case of Michael McKevitt. However, one thing was confirmed to me during my search, that one can be seriously misinformed and mislead by the print media and the redtops in particular.

The McKevitt case didn’t really interest me too much in the past, although occasionally I read details of the trial, in fact it was difficult to avoid it at times. However, since reading some of the details on the website I may have a change of heart. I will certainly keep my eye on this informative site in the future.

John Mooney’s article outlined how McKevitt was exploiting the tragedy of Omagh by showing a picture of the aftermath of the bombing on his website. If my memory serves me right the picture which Mooney identified on the website was similar to the picture which appeared on the cover this journalist’s book on the RIRA. What is the difference? Does this mean that Mooney himself is exploiting the tragedy by using the picture on his book or is he being selective?

I searched for this “propaganda website” as described by Mooney and eventually I found it. To my surprise I found a very informative website highlighting what it describes as injustices in McKevitt’s case and being honest it certainly comes across as both articulate and very convincing. The website identifies some of the individuals supporting McKevitt’s case. The individuals mentioned no doubt have impeccable credentials and they are certainly worth paying some attention to. I would be of the opinion that Monsignor Murray, Fr Des Wilson and Fr McVeigh are genuine in lending their support to the McKevitt case and I have no doubt they have researched the background of the case extensively before giving it their support. The fact that these distinguished clergymen feel this case is an injustice is very disquieting indeed. They also back up their concerns with some troubling background to the case. One of the clergymen actually pointed out where he attended the McKevitt trial in Dublin and described it as one of the worst he has witnessed in 40 years.

From my research I also discovered that Mr Mooney’s article to be factually incorrect and seriously misleading in content.

Initially I discovered that Mr McKevitt did not design the website as suggested in the Mooney article. The creator of the site is clearly identified on it as far as I could see. Secondly, the picture of the Omagh bombing was not shown in isolation, it was part of a montage of pictures outlining British collusion in a number of other disturbing cases but including the Omagh tragedy. Thirdly, I could clearly identify that the site is managed by friends of McKevitt as he is in prison as far as I’m aware.

The tabloid article also states that “…The families of the 29 people massacred in the Omagh attack have reacted with disbelief to the news of the image…” Who could blame them, but what was the question that was put to them regarding the image on the site in the first instant. I have a notion that it was a loaded question, to extract a specific answer. I’m also suspicious that the families may have been misled by the loaded question, just like the readers of this misleading tabloid article by Mr Mooney.

Mr Mooney is probably the last person who should be ridiculing about anyone exploiting the Omagh tragedy, for he has exploited this particular tragedy more than any other journalist in Ireland or indeed anywhere else and purely for financial gain at that.

I have no axe to grind with Mr Mooney nor do I condone violence of any kind but I don’t like to be misled in such a sinister and calculating way.

As a journalist Mr Mooney has a duty not to mislead the general public through his articles. He has a duty to give a true outline of the facts without giving a slant to suit his own or someone else’s sinister agenda.
The question must surely be asked is Mooney morally or financially motivated with his Omagh articles.

I found the website at www.michaelmckevitt.com Although it may not be of interest to some I found it interesting and informative. On reading the site I concur with Monsignor Raymond Murray and the other clergymen that this case is a serious injustice.