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From The Times
August 18, 2003

Call to clear names of IRA convicts

By Chris Johnston
SINN FEIN has asked for criminal records of the 15,000 IRA members convicted during the Troubles to be removed from government records.

It said that the move would help terrorists released under the Good Friday agreement to reintegrate into society. Many have problems finding employment because of their criminal records.

IRA members who would benefit include Patrick Magee, who tried to assassinate Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet at the Conservative Party conference in Brighton in 1984.

The concession is the latest in a long list of requests coming from the political wing of the IRA. Other demands have been met in the past but it was not clear whether the British and Irish Governments would be prepared to let so many crimes be set aside.

The Ulster Unionist party attacked the proposal and said that the crimes of the IRA should never be forgotten.

The Sinn Fein request came as dissident republicans opposed to the Good Friday agreement claimed that new terrorist cells had been set up in Britain. Hardliners opposed to the peace deal and Sinn Fein’s stance said that there would be no let-up in their campaign.

One gave warning: “Irish people who agree with our sentiments are everywhere.”

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Camila Batmanghelidjh
 

I am happy for women but sad for boys and men. They too experience so much violence, but no one seems to be rising up to protect them  

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Camila Batmanghelidjh

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