John Downey
BRITISH police told a Donegal man arrested for murder last week SIX YEARS AGO that he wasn’t wanted by them.
The news emerged as Donegal County Council has unanimously resolved to write to British Secretary of State for the North of Ireland, Theresa Villiers, calling for the release of a Donegal man who was arrested last week.
John Downey from Creeslough was arrested in Gatwick Airport while travelling on a family holiday with his wife and ten year old daughter. He was charged in relation to an IRA bomb which took place more than 30 years ago.
Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray who moved the motion, in Donegal County Council welcomed the support from his colleagues.
“I hope that such a strong statement from the representatives of the county will provide some comfort for his family during this extremely difficult time. We have sent out a clear message that John Downey should be freed,” said Murray.
“The council will now write to Theresa Villiers (British Secretary of State for the North of Ireland) and Eamon Gilmore (Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs) calling on them to ensure that both governments live up to the commitments that were made during the many peace agreements which were signed in recent years.
“The fact is that John Downey should never have been arrested. In 2007 he received a letter from the British Government, informing him that he was not wanted by any British police force. He then travelled to Britain numerous times without any problems.
“John has been a long time supporter of the peace process and as a peace worker he regularly engaged with unionists. He always put his head above the mark in promoting a new republic.
“John should not be in jail; the British Government should live up to its word and allow him to return home to his family immediately.”
Mr Downey has been charged with the Hyde Park bombings which left four soldiers dead in 1982.
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