In a statement on January 9, 2024, a spokesperson for Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive), Sinn Féin Poblachtach: ‘One shouldn’t be very surprised to learn that cooperation and collaboration between the Provisionals and their British paymasters is paying dividends.
Prominent Provisional Ted Howell and Hooded Man Kevin Hannaway died in West Belfast within days of each other. Their families and friends prepared to pay respects and send their loved one off to eternal life.
Sinn Féin Poblachtach asks the question: why was there not the same level of military presence deployed for Provisional Ted Howell’s funeral as there was for IRA volunteer and hooded man Kevin Hannaway?
“Kevin Scott, visuals editor for the Belfast Telegraph reported that during the security operation at Kevin Hannaway’s funeral in West Belfast 20 CTSF members, a drone and covert Crown forces were deployed.
“This overt method of monitoring Republicans making their way to Kevin Hannaway’s wake-house was plainly harassment. In fact, two persons were arrested, a number of hard stops were performed and two Republicans were detained in a separate incident.
“It has also been reported that a drone was deployed over the family home of Kevin Hannaway. This is believed to be a method of monitoring who is coming to give their sympathies to his family.
“Seasoned Republicans have labelled this type of colonial policing as something you would have expected in the 1980s. One veteran said, ‘I can recall a funeral cortège being overrun by RUC thugs with batons, beating mourners while Republicans protected the coffin.’ This person in question had his funeral delayed, resulting in the body having to be embalmed for a second time while in the family home and the RUC threatened to seize the remains under public health laws.
“Sinn Féin Poblachtach declares that the British regime in the Occupied Six Counties will forever demonstrate favouritism to those who deliver their pro-British strategy and toe the British line. Unlike for men like Kevin Hannaway who was described as a person who stood firm in his beliefs till his life end.
PRO
Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive),
Sinn Féin Poblachtach
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