Derry Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Eddie Fullerton Justice Campaign Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, RDS Dublin, 3rd March, 2007

Diana and Amanda Fullerton at Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

Diana and Amanda Fullerton at Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

At the time of his murder in May 1991, Eddie Fullerton had served the people of Inishowen and Buncrana for 12 consecutive years as a Sinn Fein County Councillor and as an Urban District Councillor, and was running for a third term with just weeks to go before the election.

His honesty, dedication and tireless commitment to serving those he represented irrespective of their religious and political persuasions, earned him the respect of his community, and also of his many political opponents.

In March 1990, the people of North West Donegal were shocked when the local media printed a photograph of Councillor Fullerton holding in his hand a sinister death threat that he had received from the UFF (a cover name for the UDA) which chillingly stated "Eddie, just to let you know, you are next". Even though he was a public representative, as a member of Sinn Fein, Eddie Fullerton knew that he could not rely on any measure of protection from An Garda Siochana, nor was any provided.

In the early hours of 25th May 1991, Loyalist Assassins sledge-hammered their way into the Buncrana home of Eddie Fullerton while he lay asleep in bed. They made their way to his bedroom and shot him six times in front of his wife Diana. He died immediately.

The assassins then sped back across the border to Culmore Point, Derry, where they proceeded to set fire to the hijacked getaway car.

Since then, there have been serious allegations that the murder was a result of collusion between British Authorities and loyalist paramilitaries. These have been compounded by several media reports produced by respected investigative journalists, writers and documentary producers who have consistently alleged that British Security Forces and their Informants were pivotal in targeting and facilitating the assassination of Eddie Fullerton within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland.

Critically, serious questions have also arisen about the role played by An Garda Siochana prior to the murder and the subsequent flawed investigation that followed. Remarkably, those responsible for policing on both sides of the border have, over the years, shown little or no interest in pursuing a proper murder investigation. This comes as no surprise to the people of Donegal given the findings of the Morris Tribunal, where a number of Gardai directly involved in the murder investigation have now been indited as corrupt.

In the absence of an adequate Gardai, RUC/PSNI investigation, and in light of compelling evidence that suggested collusion and cover-up, in 2003 the Eddie Fullerton Justice Committee was formed, with our brother Albert elected as spokesperson. Albert worked tirelessly collating evidence and maximizing every opportunity to carry our message of injustice into the public arena. Albert's efforts paid off when, four years ago, he unveiled a key witness to the investigation whose statement provided damming evidence of collusion. Most alarmingly, this information was made known to the RUC and an An Garda Siochana on the day of the murder, but was never acted upon, nor were we the family ever informed.

In June 2003, the Eddie Fullerton Justice Committee presented a Memorandum outlining its key concerns to the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell. In response, the Minister sanctioned an Investigative Review headed by a Senior Garda Official. After three years, on 31st August 2006, a Report on the preliminary findings of the Investigative Review produced which failed to address our key concerns, and attempted to disregarded the key witness evidence. Crucially, the Report was significantly devoid of any reference to the central issue: WHY over the years, have An Garda Siochana and the RUC/PSNI NEVER conducted a proper and thorough cross-jurisdictional investigation into the murder of Sinn Fein Councillor Eddie Fullerton.

The Report did however, reveal to us for the first time, crucial evidence that had been known all along by the RUC, that forensic examinations had linked the guns used in the murder of Eddie Fullerton to 13 subsequent murders, for which there HAD been convictions. Crucially, by the end of August 2006, neither police force had questioned those convicted in relation to the murder of Eddie Fullerton.

In November 2006, the Chief Ombudsman's Office for Northern Ireland sanctioned an investigation into the role played by the RUC/PSNI in relation to the murder of Eddie Fullerton. That investigation is currently underway.

Also in November 2006, and over 15 years after the murder, the Fullerton family met with An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and discussed a range of concerns. Significantly, at that meeting Mr Ahern agreed to make representation the British Prime Minister and appropriate Northern Ireland Officials requesting maximum cooperation on the part of the PSNI and Northern Ireland Authorities in relation to investigations ongoing both North and South.

Recently my mother Diana wrote to the British Prime Minister, again outlining our key same concerns and requesting his support in relation to both ongoing investigations. A response has now been received informing that the Prime Minister is arranging for a Minister in NI Office to reply directly.

SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Given the current status of the Eddie Fullerton Justice Campaign, and in light of emerging evidence of widespread collusion in relation to the assassination of republicans throughout the Northern Ireland Conflict, the Eddie Fullerton Justice Committee awaits a formal response from An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Northern Ireland Minister, as well as the outcome of investigations ongoing both North and South.

We the Fullerton family continue to have major reservations about any inquiry unless conducted by a force or agency independent of An Garda Siochana, and we WILL continue to demand a full, independent and transparent Public Inquiry, spanning both jurisdictions and overseen by a person or persons of international reputation.

Sadly our spokesperson and beloved brother Albert was tragically killed one year ago. However, he would not want us to remain complacent.

When the Authorities of one State plan the assassination of a democratically elected public representative within another State, what is really under attack are the people and the very foundation of democracy. On 25th May 1991 the people of this country were sent a clear message from the British and Irish Governments, it said "we don't care about your democratic and constitutional rights, because we WON'T ensure that the murder of your Councillor is properly investigated, and more over, we WILL go to great lengths to ensure that those who really murdered Eddie Fullerton will not be held to account.

The challenge now for An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair is to redress the atrocities carried out as a result of Collusion, for all our sakes.

"When those who make the law, break the law, then there is no law"

Thank you.