'News of the World' Article a Fabrication - RSF

international | arts and media | press release Sunday April 05, 2009 14:57 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin tiocfaidh at btinternet dot com c/- Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223, Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland +44-7835 620 592 / +353-87 261 8603

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD WALSH, PUBLICITY OFFICER, REPUBLICAN SINN FÉIN:

An article in the 'News of the World' on April 5th – “CIRA threat to kill Irish soldiers” – claims that I stated that members of the Free State forces could be killed for helping to search for weapons along the border, and that they should instead join the CIRA.

For the record, at no time was I in contact with the News of the World or their reporter Stephen Breen – or indeed any other journalist – regarding this issue. Nor was any press statement released by myself or Republican Sinn Féin making any such claims. As such, all alleged quotations used within the article are entirely a fabrication.

Furthermore, at no time did I claim to be speaking on behalf of the IRA. Republican Sinn Féin does not have a military wing, nor is it the political wing of any other organisation.

It is interesting to note that reactions were sought from Fine Gael's Charles Flanagan and the Provos' Dáithí McKay for something which was never said either publicly or privately.

ENDS