Appeal On Behalf Of The O’Connor Family
At the weekend, a Criminal gang who have held the Ballymurphy community in West Belfast under siege with their Anti-Social actions for over six years, became involved in a number of drug-fuelled attacks on the grave of former Ballymurphy resident and the Belfast Commander of the RIRA, Jo-Jo O’Connor. The gang began with chopping the heads of two Holy Statues, place there by Joe’s relatives. Joe’s grave is in the City Cemetery across the road from Ballymurphy and has been subjected to repeated attacks over the last few years.
The Gang responsible who call themselves; ‘The Rat Pack’ have regularly abused and attacked Joe’s relatives for over six years. A number of homes have been stoned, set on fire with petrol-bombs and hoax bombs left outside. Given the killing of her beloved son and the other attacks, his mother Margaret felt she had no option but to leave her home and her community in Ballymurphy and move to another district. In spite of a mountain of evidence, a host of community and political groups including Sinn Féin and the SDLP refused to help the O’Connor family end the intimidation. Not only was this Gang involved in attacking the O’Connor’s, they were also deeply involved in breaking into the homes of local people, stealing whatever they could including their cars, drug-dealing and beating anyone who challenged them.
Not surprisingly, some Gang members were quickly released after repeated arrests to continue their reign of terror across West Belfast, confirming local suspicions that they had agreed to ‘work’ as Informers for the RUC/PSNI in return for no action taken against them. Throughout the recent Conflict, many Criminals worked for the Political Police and passed on information about Republicans for financial gain and a free-hand to continue their Anti-Community activities. This age-old practise has not changed one iota, as Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, Judith Gillespe stated in 2005; ‘That we use ‘Covert Human Intelligence Sources’. Throughout this reign of terror, the Rat Pack have gone unchallenged by the RUC/PSNI. Only last week, Matt Baggot announced that he was planning a ‘Crackdown’ on Republicans who carry out ‘punishment attacks’. It doesn’t take a genius to consider that after the desecration of Jo-Jo’s grave was engineered by Special Branch Handlers to provoke this very reaction from Republicans, setting a trap in the process.
Óglach Jo-Jo O’Connor was married and a father of three young children when he was shot-dead outside his Mother’s home in October, 2000 by a number of gunmen. No group admitted responsibility for the brutal shooting, although local residents testified that they belonged to the Provisional IRA. His unprovoked killing not only caused his family unbelievable suffering but also resurrected the same emotions when Joe’s Grandfather, Francisco was gunned down by the UDA in 1987. Francisco was a former IRA Volunteer, Political Prisoner and a respected Republican. Ever since, the Provisionals have denied any involvement in Joe’s death.
The deafening silence from Nationalist Politicians, Community Leaders and the Catholic Church concerning Joe’s killing but also the gross intimidation of his family and now, the despicable destruction of Joe’s grave. Since Joe’s execution, Republican Activists who disagree with Sinn Féin’s political strategy have continued to be abducted, beaten and threatened by the Provisionals. Those who refuse to be intimidated are felon-set, smeared and vilified. This type of demonisation makes the desecration of Joe’s grave all the more easier for Criminals. Republicans have a legitimate right to hold a political view that opposes Sinn Féin’s position and that right should not be censored nor condemned.
Based on that fundamental right, I’m appealing for the Provisional Movement to finally admit the shooting of Jo-Jo. After all, his family have suffered immensely since his death, they like everyone else have a right to an explanation as to why he was gunned down. I also appeal to those who wrecked Joe’s grave to cease these attacks immediately, it is nothing short of a hate campaign directed at Joe and his family! Finally on behalf of Joe’s family, I ask for donations to help restore Jo-Jo’s grave. So that his relatives and others can pay their respects at his final resting place.
Donations can be handed in to, or sent to,
Martin Óg Meehan
217 Falls Road – Belfast – BT12 6FB
