Call for Whistleblowers in the Kevin Tracey Case
national |
crime and justice |
news report 
Friday July 08, 2011 12:12
by Justin Morahan
Gardaí, judges, members of Courts Service and workers in DPP's Office asked to answer the call
Thirty one prosecutions of an innocent man, followed by perjury, cover up, scandalous conduct by judges, barristers, solicitors, Courts Service and DPP's office, assaults by Gardaí etc - there was a long story to tell about the shameless judicial system in Ireland outside our Houses of Parliament two days ago.
This story is one that could also come under the Rights and Freedom heading as well as under "Crime and Justice". Kevin Tracey has been the victim of criminal behaviour but he has also been deprived of his human rights and of freedom to live a normal life with his family in peace.
Kevin Tracey, in spite of severe illness, kept his promise to protest outside Dáil Éireann on Wednesday 6 July 2011. Sitting on a stool with his two posters, he attracted maximum attention on a busy day at Leinster House. On one of his posters he called for honest people within the institutions that have waged injustice on him to come forward as whistle-blower to reveal the extension of the corruption that exists in their own institutions.
Only for one brave woman whistle-blower in Donegal, the State scandals against Frank Shortt and the McBrearty family would never have been investigated or uncovered.
Five hundred copies of his press release (see Indymedia) were handed out to shocked members of the public.
Among those who visited him were numerous victims of the courts and their relatives, human rights and anti-war activists, hundreds of "ordinary" honest citizens and tourists as well as TDs, Senators, and a Presidential hopeful.
In a coincidence almost too good to be true, an Inspector of the Gardaí approached to "welcome " him while he was explaining to Eric Byrne TD that he had been set up by Gardaí. Without missing a beat, Kevin turned to the Inspector and said "And this man was responsible for a lot of it".
The tall Inspector took off his cap, looked up to heaven and pleaded innocence but then left abruptly.
Also among the visitors was Thomas Pringle TD son of Peter Pringle who had been on radio the previous morning, telling of how he had be wrongly convicted in the 70s for the murder of a Garda, the last person in Ireland to be condemned to death. Another was Mattie MCGrath TD who spent a lot of time listening. Many, promised to keep in touch or get back to Kevin
There was also support from anti-war campaigners Colm Roddy and June Kelly. Peter Preston who himself had had two protracted hunger strikes outside the same Dáil a few years ago also gave strong support throughout the protest.The shock on the faces of many visitors as Kevin and his friends recounted the bones of his story was palpable
It is the "State", in my name and yours, that has brought all the malicious prosecutions against Kevin Tracey, the "State" that has covered up, the "State" that has fought bitterly to prevent the wrongdoing from beng undone in the courts. When, I wonder, will the State stop harassing Kevin Tracey and his household, repent of its crimes, apologise for its wrongdoing and try to repair some of the damage done before it loses all credibility in the eyes of its citizens?
This report is based on my observations throughout most of the protest and any errors or omissions are regretted. I would welcome contacts from those criticised in the report who wish to reply to those criticisms in an open forum outside of the Courts system
Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3Well done Justin. You have been a staunch campaigner for human rights all of your life, both here in Ireland and abroad.
John Waters penned a good piece on the judiciary in the Irish Times on Friday.
A few letters to the editor might be apt and fruitful as they may be published.
One glaring deficit alone is illustrated by the fact that there does not even exist an independent complaints body to file a grievance with if a judges abuses his position, which he holds at the 'pleasure' of 'the people', though one would find that latter point streching credulity.
The system is opaque and needs a stong and permanent light shone onto its workings.
I never heard of this case before but I take you at your word. Hopefully the story will become like the Unied Irish harp of 1798 :
'..NEWLY STRUNG AND SHALL BE HEARD'
Others who listened carefully to the tale of corruption and injustice in the Irish judicial system were Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris, Senator Martin McAleese and the son (Mark?) of Tom Sweeney who had almsot died on hunger strike outside the same Dáil some years ago. The Presidential hopeful (at the time) was Mairead McGuinness, MEP.
None were happy with the revelations but also they were not surprised.
As Peter reminded one of them: They should be surprised. What does it say of our Parliament that they were not?
On returning from the protest I was surprised to find an e-mail from the Minister for Justice in reply to one I had written to him 3 months earlier.
Mr Shatter politely explained the functions of the Garda, the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Ombudsman in the prosecution of alleged crimes. However he pointed out that, at this time, it would not be appropriate to set up an Inquiry or Tribunal to examine the Kevin Tracey case.
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