‘Squalid revisionism’ of Sinn Fein’s Garrison branch condemned

Kenny Donaldson of SEFF was commenting after Sinn Fein MLA Jemma Dolan posted photos on social media, saying she was “proud of the work” being carried out by the Garrison branch of the party – named after Joe MacManus.

In 1992, MacManus was one of a number of heavily armed IRA members who staged the ambush of dog warden and part-time UDR soldier Eric Glass at a house close to the border near Belleek.

As he was being taken from his van at gunpoint, Mr Glass reached under a coat on the passenger and pulled the trigger of his personal protection pistol, shooting through the closed van door and fatally wounding MacManus.

At least three other accomplices ran for cover from where the fired their assault rifles into the cab of the van, striking Mr Glass several times on the legs.

Despite his injuries, he managed to drag himself into the house and phone for help, while fending off the IRA gang with just a small number of bullets left in his Walther pistol. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Mr Donaldson said: “Joe MacManus was legitimately shot by former UDR soldier Eric Glass after Mr MacManus and three other Provisional IRA terrorists sought to steal his life.

“Sligo born Joe MacManus was used by The Provisional Republican Movement and they are continuing to use him for their own squalid revisionism.”

Mr Donaldson added: “Joe MacManus was part of an illegal terrorist organisation who murdered men, women and children, Protestant, Roman Catholic and other; unionist, nationalist and other with large swathes of these murders motivated by sectarian and ethnic hatred. The Provisional IRA also murdered those within their own ‘claimed community’ who stood in their way and who did not subscribe to their exclusivist ideology and outlook.

“Eric Glass is a man of honour and of integrity; he cared more for the life of Joe MacManus – who he was forced to eliminate or be eliminated – than those who now use the name of Joe MacManus within the name of a so-called political branch.”

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Under the Good Friday Agreement, everyone, including Irish republicans, have the right to remember their dead with dignity and respect. Local activists in Garrison have named their Cumann after Joe McManus [sic].”