Dessie Ellis, a Sinn Fein member of the Irish parliament, has been linked with 50 murders committed during the Troubles according to new documents released by the British government.
The Irish Independent newspaper reports that secret internal communications within the British government suggest that former IRA member Ellis was forensically linked to the deaths in both the Republic and in Northern Ireland.
Another internal memo describes Ellis as a ‘leading Provisional IRA member.’
Now the Sinn Fein representative for Dublin North-West, Ellis was sentenced to 10 years in prison on explosives charges in the 1980s.
The papers containing the sensation claims date from 1982 and have been released by Britain’s National Archive.
Ellis refused to comment. He told the Irish Independent: “No, I won’t be saying anything.”
Asked if he disputed the claims, he replied: “I don’t want to comment on anything said by the Brits. I wouldn’t be bothered.”
The latest claims are seen as hugely embarrassing for Sinn Fein which has been heavily criticised in the Irish parliament for its links to the IRA.
Both Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his deputy Eamon Gilmore have attacked Sinn Fein’s IRA links in recent weeks.
On the last sitting of the house before the Christmas break, Labour Party leader Gilmore asked Sinn Fein’s Mary-Lou McDonald: “How many bodies are buried on this island because of Sinn Fein?”
The Irish Independent also reports that 60-year-old Ellis refused to detail his position in the IRA during the Troubles.
All he has ever said is that he was ‘at the highest levels.’
Ellis said in a recently published book about his hometown of Finglas that he became involved in republicanism from an early age, first in the civil rights marches and later in the ‘armed struggle.’
Ellis was initially arrested in Dublin in May 1981 but jumped bail and fled to Canada, from where he crossed the border into the United States. He was arrested in Buffalo, New York, in 1982 on immigration offences.
The paper reports that an internal communication marked ‘secret’ from the British embassy in Washington states: “As you know, one of those arrested has turned out on investigation to be Desmond Ellis, who was arrested in Dublin in May 1981 for possession of electronic remote-controlled devices.
“We understand that Ellis is linked by forensic evidence to some 50 murders in Northern Ireland and the Republic.”
The 1982 communication also states that Ellis was wanted in Dublin. It says: “Given his record, we hoped that steps could be made to ensure that he was not simply sent back to Canada following next Tuesday’s (immigration) court hearing and escape from justice.”
Ellis was later extradited to Ireland. In 1983 he was convicted by the Special Criminal Court where he was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The paper says that in 1990, he was the first person charged under the 1987 Extradition Act for an explosives charge in England.
Ellis went on a hunger strike that lasted 37 days in protest against his pending extradition to England. He was eventually acquitted in London.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.| Dec 30, 2012, 03:22 PM EST
there are a lot of politions with bucketfulls of blood on their hands,not just men who were fighting to have one man one vote in their own country.
maryosullivan | Dec 30, 2012, 03:18 PM EST
If there is evidence against Dessie Ellis , lets hear it This entire article consists of rehashing and vague comments " highest level" ,"secret internal communications" while you neglected to mention the attempt to frame him by misuse of fingerprints, by claiming he was an engineer when in fact he was a TV repairman. I attended his trial in London and the same misrepresentation was presented them as in your article. There are crimes committed by the Govt in Ireland against Michael McKevitt Marian Price and Gerry McGeough it would be fitting for the newspapers to spend time on these crimes
seamus60 | Dec 30, 2012, 11:33 AM EST
Mammaginnty. Whenever Mary lou or any other shinners bring up the subject of how hard it is for people to live, they themselves bring up the troubles as a deflection to what their same party members are imposing on the people of the North on behalf of the brits. As for what is on or off the statute books, doesn`t matter as proven by the Internment that still exists. We don`t have to look any futher than Marian Price or Martin Corey. A war was fought yet SF appear happy enough that those Republicans who no longer tow the sell-out party line remain cortelled as criminals for their soldiering.
curtisjohnson | Dec 29, 2012, 09:30 PM EST
dukmarshal@aol.com “Lets not forget the Brits could take Ellis to one of their special courts where no evidence is necessary to convict an Irishman, just the word of an Englishman.” Yes, or a “confession” produced in one of the terror state torture chambers. All part of that “unwritten constitution” of theirs – lol.
seanomelb | Dec 29, 2012, 06:13 PM EST
IrelandNorth when you ask them "to take the beam out of their own eyes "surely you meant Jim Beam".I believe Britain is trying retospevtively trying to re-invent a new GFA by removing the parts pertaining to actions taken by republicans before its inception. I suppose re-writing the rules without consulting the other signatories.And of course they are aided and abetted by the west Brit independent and red white and blue plastic TD's.
IrelandNorth | Dec 29, 2012, 03:34 PM EST
A fundamental principal of the rules of evidence is that they who assert must prove. McCarthyesque jurisprudence will simply not do, old chaps. Just not cricket. Something more tangible than suspicion is required. Also, how independent is the Irish Independent. Come to think of it, how Irish is? Conservative and reactionary in 1916, with little improvement for 2016. Also, current Irish govt having difficulty acclimatising to genuine opposition after years of affection. How trustworth can politicos be who were members of Sinn Fein. Then Sinn Fein: The Workers' Party. Then the Workers' Party. Then Democratic Left. Then back to Labour? Messrs Kenny & Gilmore should take the beam out ot their own eyes, before they take the speck out of the Rt Hon Dep Ellis'. We're all answerable to the just judge for our karma, whether militaries, paramiltaries or Taoisigh/PMs.
WoundedKnee | Dec 29, 2012, 02:35 PM EST
dukmarshal___ I have some sympathy for what you say, but you ned to be reminded that the British have taken these laws off their statutes. The government of the 26 Counties has not,they continue to run kangaroo courts. You should direct your attention to them.
dukmarshal@aol.com | Dec 28, 2012, 08:11 PM EST
Lets not forget the Brits could take Ellis to one of their special courts where no evidence is necessary to convict an Irishman, just the word of an Englishman.
dukmarshal@aol.com | Dec 28, 2012, 08:03 PM EST
Ah, British evidence with respect to any Irishman goes something like this. That fellow Mick looked twice at that Doughtery lassie and we know she went to school with O'Laughin who was friends with Sean who once knew a member of the IRA. So Mick must also be IRA. After all there were many interred who were completely innocent of any crime during the Troubles. I can never trust ANYTHING the Brits say with regards to Ireland.
aloistmartin | Dec 28, 2012, 06:51 PM EST
And should the British leave the EU in pursuit of the Restoration of Serfdom, will the Irish Right follow suit !
Redneck56 | Dec 28, 2012, 06:41 PM EST
Should a soldier be held accountable for those he's killed in combat? In the eyes of Mr. Ellis and those who were involved in the IRA...Where they at war with the British and their allies? Words are relevant and depending on which side of the "proverbial" fence one stands is to how they are interpreted.
aloistmartin | Dec 28, 2012, 06:13 PM EST
Capitalists Cry Murder ! The Irish Right is becoming more and more a Sectarian Element !
seanomelb | Dec 28, 2012, 04:42 PM EST
The gutter press and the faux labour party are smearing republicans (With the aid of their British seazebags) because they fear a revivalist Sinn Fein. The temerity of any British government to castigate Ellis whilst they are responsible for the murder of thousands of people world wide.Thatcher,Regan,Bush and Blair are war criminals and deserved to be incarcerated.
cillowen | Dec 28, 2012, 01:54 PM EST
The colluder pair Secret files lift lid on Thatcher-Reagan Falklands contacts Brit craven Reagan - saving of Thatcher bchistch Elsewhere, the files show that Thatcher stressed the special relationship between the two countries as she requested Reagan's help in a letter signed off with "Warm personal regards, Margaret". "I also believe that the friendship between the United States and Britain matters very much to the future of the free world," she wrote. However, one document showed how deeply indebted British officials felt to the United States for its "clandestine help" during the Falklands war; help that the United States was anxious be kept secret. "The US have made it clear that they do not wish to reveal publicly the extent of the help with which they are providing us. They are very much worried about the effects on their relations with South America. We must accept this as a fact of life," a Ministry of Defence letter said. The United States assisted Britain with intelligence and communications facilities as well as with military equipment such as munitions, the document said, confirming information already in the public domain. Emblazoned with the words SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL, many of the 6,000 declassified files will prove a treasure trove for history students keen on ferreting out hitherto unknown details of the major political events of 1982, said records specialist Demissie. "Everything comes out in the end," he said.
mamaginnty | Dec 28, 2012, 11:19 AM EST
Thetint, you said it all. As for Kenny and Gilmore ranting at Ms Mcdonald of Sinn Féin, they are running scared, as soon as she talks about how people are finding it hard to live, or about the cuts, they won't answer her questions, all they can come up with is the " troubles" people are sick listening to them. all I can say to the brits about Dessie is..." prove it, or shut up "
Searlit | Dec 28, 2012, 11:08 AM EST
When all is said and done. After what havoc was wreaked by M. Thatcher in Ireland, it is possible that the current leaders are able to see that Ireland is for the Irish. What was taken and done to the Irish was never on the side of good. Perhaps, they can be friendly neighbors now.
bunkerisland | Dec 28, 2012, 10:13 AM EST
Dessie Ellis? Dessie Smith? One and the same or some edit screw up?
pilib04 | Dec 28, 2012, 09:26 AM EST
Mea Culpa for posting yet a third time. Did not see seanmac50's attempt to revise the reputation of the westBrit Irish Independent. It's name is an oxymoron because they have opposed Irish Independence since their inception. It has also been rightwing anti-trade union since its inception. Scab press would be the correct description for the II.
pilib04 | Dec 28, 2012, 09:20 AM EST
Parliament? When did Ireland get a Parliament? Do I detect bias or ignorance by the author (Counihan)? Ireland does not have a Parliament. It does have two houses of the Oireachtas, the Dail and the Seanad. The whole (albeit brief) article is written in "British Sleaze."
pilib04 | Dec 28, 2012, 09:14 AM EST
Um, Thatcher ordered the assassination of Patrick Finucane. This wouldn't be a Brit attempt to change the subject, would it? The "Irish Independent" wasn't credible in 1916. Did something change that Counihan now thinks it is credible. It is westBrit garbage wrapping paper at its best!
seanmac50 | Dec 28, 2012, 09:10 AM EST
The "Peace process" saved Mr. Ellis from being charged as it did others. This article originated from the british state papers released under the 30 year rule.The Irish Independent is a reputable newspaper in Ireland.
ReturnedYank | Dec 28, 2012, 08:52 AM EST
Irish Central: You really ought to be careful when taking copy from the Oirish Independent.
thetint | Dec 28, 2012, 08:17 AM EST
So when the Brits captured Dessie Ellis they didn’t charge him with even one death never mind 50. The charges against him were so fabricated that an English jury found him not guilty. And, as usual, there are no names attached to this mysterious ‘50’.