New Pan-European Intelligence Gathering Scheme Highlighted – RNU

national | crime and justice | press release Sunday June 27, 2010 14:12 by RNU-PRO - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

The Republican Network for Unity (RNU) calls on civil liberty groups, NPO’s and political parties to expose this clandestine injustice and defend the rights of Irish citizens”.

The REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) Cathaoirleach/Chairperson, DANNY MCBREARTY, has highlighted a new Europol (the European branch of Interpol) operation incorporating the RUC/PSNI and Garda Síochána for ‘sharing intelligence’ on Irish Political Groups.

“Confidential documents obtained by civil liberty group, State-Watch reveal ‘growing concerns that legitimate protest organisations across a wide political spectrum are being subjected to state surveillance’. The invidious scheme has a central database which they secretly share with the British Security Services, MI5 and MI6.

It is believed that much of the data collated is from intrusive monitoring, via indiscriminate covert surveillance techniques, such as phone tapping. Another section seeks information about "oral comments" made by targets, while others ask about religious knowledge, behaviour and socio-economic status.
With a centralised monitoring apparatus permitted by the European Union, Britain can now spy on any Irish citizen it assumes is a dissenting Republican, environmental protester, anti-racist campaigner or an anti-war activist.

The Republican Network for Unity (RNU) calls on civil liberty groups, NPO’s and political parties to expose this clandestine injustice and defend the rights of Irish citizens”.