Celtic countries condemn New Zealand atrocity

‘Only one previous terror attack in country relatively free from such incidents’.

Leaders in the Celtic countries have been swift in their condemnation of a terrorist attack in New Zealand. Both the Irish President, Michael D Higgins, and Manx Chief Minister, Howard Quayle MHK, have issued statements (see links below):

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/chief-minister-pays-trib...

https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0315/1036547-new-zealand-reaction/

New Zealand has been relatively free from such terror incidents and that and the fact this was actions carried out by Islamophobia right wing extremists who were not known to police or security services compounds the concerns for authorities there.

New Zealand has been the scene of one previous terror attack in 1985 when members of the French Security Services (the DGSE) bombed and sank the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour killing one person Fernando Pereira a photographer and Dutch national. In that instance although the perpetrators were identified only two accomplices served short prison terms for the murder. Indeed one of those involved appeared in a TV interview in 2015 saying he was sorry but he ‘was just carrying out orders’ (link):

https://www.celticleague.net/news/french-government-terrorist-apologies-...

All the DGSE members who carried out the bombing are known and have travelled outside France to the UK and USA on many occasions without hindrance a fact the Celtic League has highlighted on several occasions over the years.

Image: NZ the scene of one previous attack in 1985 when members of the French DGSE sank the Greenpeace Vessel, Rainbow Warrior, murdering a Dutch national

Bernard Moffatt

Assistant General Secretary
Celtic League