'We'll Gas Bertie' The Sun - Front Page

dublin | summit mobilisations | news report

Saturday April 24, 2004 14:57

by Noise Hack

The Irish Sun
April 24 2004
Front Page Headline: WE’LL GAS BERTIE

May Day Poison threats to Dublin received by The Sun

A sinister anarchist group last night threatened to massacre 10,000 people including Bertie Ahern and 24 EU Prime Minister in gas attacks on May Day.

The terror squad’s main target is Farmleigh House in Dublin’s Phoenix Park where the Taoiseach will welcome the EU leaders at a banquet next Saturday.

Warning of the gas attacks came in frightening emails sent to the Irish Sun yesterday.

The anarchists described how they would use hydrogen chloride to inflict maximum injury on their victims. And a chemicals expert confirmed that the group’s plans were capable of causing mass deaths.

A Justice Department spokesman said the threats were a matter for the garda who have drawn up extensive security plans for May Day.

A garda source said last night: “We are taking theses threats extremely seriously.” The threat poses a security nightmare for the hard-pressed cops.

They will be stretched to police protest against war, racism and capitalism by 5,000 people in the capital the same day coinciding with weekend celebrations to mark the enlarged EU.

Intelligence officers believe extremists are planning open warfare with cops on the streets as they hijack the demonstrations.

The Irish Sun
April 24 2004 – Page 6
Headline: Anarchists say they’ll release enough gas to kill 10,000 Dubliners. – By Lynn Jolly

Horrifying emails from anar4chists threatening the world’s biggest terror strike sent a chill through Irish Sun Staff.

The terror group calling itself An@rky sent a series of sinister messages to our Dublin offices.

We immediately passed them on to Garda. Last night they were being investigated by cops.

A spokesman said the emails were being taken seriously.

“We have a major security operation in place for next week,” he added.

Top of the anarchists’ hit list is Bertie Ahern and the 24 EU leader he will welcome to a banquet at Farmleigh, the official State guesthouse, next Saturday.

The group said it would attack Farmleigh with hydrogen chloride gas which burns the skin, eyes and damages lungs.

But it did not spell out who its other 10,000 victims would be or where exactly they would strike at them. An@rky warned in one email: Farmleigh and other EU fat cat targets will be hit with lethal poison gas on May Day.

“The gas prepared is Hydrogen Chloride (HCI) which is an acid mist burning skin, and eyes as well as destroying the lungs. The gas will be released by small gas generators, portable as well as those already concealed and in place in the vicinity of the targets.”

“Each tiny generator contains 1000g of Sulphuric Acid (H2S04) and 600g of Sodium Chloride (NaCl). The ingredients are battery acid (concentrated to 98%) and ordinary table salt.

“Each generator will release 250litres of HCl which is enough to injure and kill up to 10,000 people. And so if only one generator is activated the heavily guarded EU targets will be swamped in clouds of an all-pervasive acid mist.

“There is no protection against this form of attack for the fat cats or their minions. What price those miles of wire now?

“This warning is issued to alert the Irish people to stay well away from Farmleigh and the other venues including the airports during the EU Celebrations’. The Irish people are not the targets.

“WE STRESS THAT THE IRISH PEOPLE ARE NOT AND NEVER HAVE NEEN THE TARGETS.

“This is not a threat. The attacks will take place as described and are now unstoppable. An@rky.

Last night a source at University College Dublin’s chemistry department said the science behind the attacks threat was correct.

He confirmed the gas would be deadly.
“This gas could be fatal to people if it’s inhaled in an enclosed area,” said the source.

“Scientifically the chemical reaction described could happen.

“If 250 litres of the gas is released in an open area it could burn people and do them damage.

“And if it is released indoors -at Farmleigh for example – it could kill people.” The Dublin Grassroots Network plan to march peacefully in the city.

Their spokesman Laurence Cox said: “We would condemn anything like the threats in the emails. It’s something we obviously don’t condone.

“But I don’t see how it could happen give the enormous security presence there will be.”

A Justice Department spokesman said: This is an operational matter for the Gardai, who have been working for some time on security for May Day.”

About 4,000 cops, backed by the Army and riot squads, are being drafted into Dublin on Saturday.

It is one of the biggest ever Gardai security operations costing millions of Euro.

Intelligence sources already knew that anarchists were planning to hijack the peaceful protest before the emails were received at the Irish Sun’s Dublin office.

It is believed that violent elements are planning battles with cops.

Soldiers are being trained to use water cannons on rioters.