Today's Journal 1-7-11

8/6/2019 Today's Journal 1-7-11

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www.derryjournal.com CITY EDITION

Friday, July 1st, 2011

EST. 1772 96 PAGES £1.05 E 1.45(ROI) £1.15(GB)

n W y n Wsp p r o tH y r

Tensions are rising in Cregganafter an attack by masked men- thought to be members of Re-publican Action Against Drugs- on the car of a leading Derryrepublican.

Former prisoner Sean McMona-gle, a Sinn Fein member who’s oneof the city’s best-known commu-

nity workers, has accused those in- volved of trying to foment divisionamong republicans.

A group of masked men attackedhis car with hammers outside hishome on Rinmore Drive shortlybefore midnight on Wednesday.

The windscreen, headlights, andother windows were broken in theattack and the bonnet of the car was also damaged.

Mr McMonagle, who chaired lastSunday’s Volunteers’ Commemo-rationat theCity Cemetery, said hebelieves he was targeted becauseof his political views and becausehe has spoken out against RAAD.

“I don’t want to get into specu-lation about which group was in- volved because it would force meto use the term ‘republican’ andthese groups are anything but re-publican,” he said.

“I have made my views well-known in terms of what I think of these groups and this attack hasnot changed that. It has strength-ened it,” he added.

Mr McMonagle also accusedthose behind the attack of tryingto turn Creggan into a ghetto. “I

am appealing to the community,particularly republicans - includ-ing those who have become disaf-fected - to ask themselves whatthe people who attacked my carhave to offer. People need to makea stand. We need to move forwardand not allow these people to turntheareaback into a ghetto, notjustin appearance but also dictated toby fear like it was when I grew upunder the British army and RUC.

“The people who are responsible

for this attack, and other attacks,are looking to create confusionand conict within the community,particularly within the republicanfamily. We will not allow that tohappen,” he said.

The attack has been condemnedby political and community lead-ers in Creggan. A demonstration toshow solidarity with Mr McMona-gle was to be held in Rinmore lastnight.

Foyle Sinn Féin MLA RaymondMcCartney described the attack as“cowardly and sickening.” “I defythese people that if they have alegitimate or otherwise grievanceagainst Sean McMonagle or any-one else in the community to comeout from behind their masks andskulking in the dark and air thesegrievances face-to-face. These at-tacks, althoughperpetrated againstindividual communityworkers, arenonetheless attacks on the com-munity as a whole and have to stopand stop now.”

Gerry Quinn from CregganNeighbourhood Partnership alsosaid there was no justication forthe attack.

Michael McMonaglemichael.mcmonagle@derryjournal.comAnger at RAAD

Group blamed for attack on car of leading republican

Creggancommunity workerandleadingrepublican Sean McMonaglepictured surveyingthedamage done tohis carin an attackby maskedmenoutside hishomeon Wednesdaynight.On his leftare communityworkersNoel McCartneyandColmBarton.0107JM28