Blunkett faces protest over IRA bomber's imprisonment
Republicans demanding the release from jail of IRA bomber Sean Kelly staged a protest at a jobs centre in west Belfast today ahead of a visit by British Works and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett David Blunkett and European employment ministers.
Kelly was arrested and sent back to prison last month by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain for involvement in terrorist activities. The British government has not gone into more detail about what exactly he was involved in.
Around 60 people demanding Kelly’s release picketed the centre in Springvale where Mr Blunkett was hosting a visit by EU ministers.
The European ministers are taking part in a summit on employment in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall and are due to visit the loyalist Shankill Road to see at first hand how people usually marginalised in the jobs market are being equipped for the world of work.
Among those taking part in the protest was prominent Belfast republican Eddie Copeland.
Some protesters were carrying posters and others wearing T-shirts demanding Kelly’s release. They insisted the protest would be peaceful.
There was a heavy police presence in the area.
Kelly was one of two men who planted a bomb in a Shankill Road fish shop. Nine civilians died, as did Kelly’s IRA accomplice, Thomas Begley.
Kelly received a total of nine life sentences but was freed early from prison in July 2000.
Mr Blunkett was forced to delay his visit to Belfast yesterday following the spate of bomb attacks on the London Underground and a bus.
He arrived in the province last night to chair the second day of discussions which the British government is hosting as president of the European Union.
Employment ministers from around the EU staged a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the London bomb attacks at the start of today’s session.
