Sinn Fein councillor attacked

Sinn Fein councillor attacked

By Frank Noakes

Belfast City Councillor and Sinn Fein member Gerard McGuigan, who toured Australia late last year, was lucky to survive an attempt on his life by right-wing loyalist gunmen.

The death squad, widely believed to be backed by crown forces, attacked McGuigan on February 20, spraying his home with bullets and throwing a hand grenade. Fortunately, McGuigan's wife and children were upstairs asleep at the time and escaped physical injury.

In recent months four Sinn Fein councillors have been assassinated by extreme loyalists. This was the third attempt on McGuigan's life.

Said McGuigan, "The continued demonisation of Sinn Fein, partially sponsored by the media, as well as political and church leaders, makes attacks by loyalist death squads on Sinn Fein party members all the more likely."

From GLW issue 49