[Sinn Fein]

10 July 1996

McGuinness appeals for calm and vigilance

Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle member Martin McGuinness today accused the Loyalist paramilitary UVF of the murder of Lurgan taxi driver Michael McGoldrick. Mr. McGuinness appealed for calm and vigilance in the face of increasing provocation, intimidation and murder. He said that he had no doubt that the UVF perpetrated the murder of Michael McGoldrick.

Mr. McGuinness continued:

``I have been concerned for some time now that the recent upsurge in attacks and killings of Catholics in Belfast and Dungannon were in fact sectarian acts carried out by Loyalists. I have also recently expressed my opinion that Loyalist death squads would intensify their attacks on the Catholic community and that a deliberate decision not to claim responsibility would be enforced.

``The murder of Michael McGoldrick fits into this scenario. He was murdered by the Mid-Ulster Brigade of the UVF but political expediency dictates that they will not claim responsibility for this killing. Although the UVF carried out this assassination there should be no doubt that the orchestration of events at Drumcree by the Orange Order and the Ulster Unionist Party leaders, David Trimble, Martin Smyth and Jeffrey Donaldson, set the stage for the murder of Michael McGoldrick and the general violence and intimidation throughout the North.

``David Trimble must be challenged to state:

  1. Who does he believe is responsible for the murder of Michael McGoldrick?
  2. How will he now provide evidence of his commitment to peaceful and democratic methods?
  3. Can he and his party still commit themselves to the Mitchell Principles in the light of events at Drumcree and throughout the Six Counties?''

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