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\ 107701- \ U,S. Department of Justice National institute of Juatlce 107706 \ I This document has been reproduced e)(actly as received from the \ person or organization ollglnatlng It. Points of view or opinions staled In this document are those of the authors and do nol necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice. \ Permission to reproduce this copyrighted material has been granted by FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
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II" ~ /' October 1987, Volwn.56, Number 11 =
fILM WITH f,,1d:l! ~!l"?JClE 1
Terrorism Today 1077 0 '1 Ci By Oliver B. Revell
107702.. Domestic Terrorism In the 1980's ~ By John W. Harris, Jr. .-
1077CJ3 The FBI and Terrorism ~ By Steven L. Pomerantz
/6770,( Irish Terrorism Investigations E By J.L. Stone, Jr.
( (J 770$ E Narco-Terrorlsm , By Daniel Boyce 'I/o
[2~ FBI's Expanding Role In Internl1'tlonal " , () 7 7!J 6 Terrorism Investigations By D.F. Martell
~r~~~~~~~!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'~I~~~~~_~I~.~~'~"~~~~~~~~~ Law Enforcement Bulletin e United Stat.s Department at Justice Published by the Office of Publlo Affairs TtI.Cov.r: Federal Bur.au of Inve.tlgatlon Milt Ahlerlch, Aotlng Asslstsnt Director Thle l88ue of the Bullelln Ie a epeclal report 0/1 Washington, DC 20535 terrorism. Cover design by John e. Ott. Editor-Thomas J. Oeakln John E. Otto, Acting Director Ass/stent Editor-Kathryn E. Sulewski Art Dlrector-John E. Ott Th. Attorn.y G.n.r.1 hili d.termlned that the The FBI LaW elllforc.m.nt Bull.tln publication of thl. periodical I. n.c.... ry In the Production Msnager-Mark A. Zeitler (ISSN./l91"'~88) I, pubUahed monthly by'thll Iran ••ctlon of the public bualMI' required by Reprints-Carolyn F. Tl1Ompson ':edei I, BurellU of Inv.ltlgetlon, 10th and P.nn law of the Department of Justice. Ule of tunds aylvanl. Avf.,;, N.W., Wuhlngton, DO 20535. tor printing thl. ~rJodlcal has b1tn approved Second-cla •• poet.g. p.ld .t W.thlngton, DC. by th. Director of thl Offlc. ot Mallagom.nt Postm ••tor: S~nd addr.rA Chang•• 10 Fedor.1 and Budget through June 6, 1968. B:\Ireau of Inv.stlgatlon, ':BI L~ enforoem.nt Bull,tln, W•• hlngton, DO 20535.
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Irish Terrorism Investigations
"In spite of FBI successes, Irish nationals and sympathetic U.S. citizens continue to attempt to obtain weapons and money In the United States in violation of existing Federal laws. '
By J.L. STONE, JR., M.P.A. Supervisory Intelligence Research SpeCialist Terrorist Research and Analytloal Center Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC
Within the parameters of the FBI's situation, If necessary. and on arresting lect Is to gather evidence for eventual overall law enforcement mission, IrIsh the perpetrators with the ultimate goal prosecution. terrorism Investigations are address(;
18 I FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______
/j to International terrorism Investigations. and abetting Irish terrorist elements, Criminal activity Is Investigated under there Is no basis for pursuing an Inves the Attorney General's Guidelines for tigation. General Crimes, Racketeering Enter prises, and Domestic Security/Terror Major Irish Groups Active In Ism Investigations (1983). Electronic The United States survelllanCl'~s in criminal matters are Investigations have shown that generally pursued under the provisions Irish group activity in the United States, of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control In support of the Irish Republican Move and Safe Streets Act of 1968. These ment, centers around three principal matters are also Investigated under the elements: The Irish Republican Army or Mr. Stone Attorney General's Forelg,n Counterin Provisional Irish Republican Army telligence Guidelines (1983). Electronic (PIRA) as it Is often referred to, the Irish surveillances are generally conducted National Liberation Army (INLA), and according to the Foreign Intelligence the Irish Northern Aid Commltteel Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) and are Northern Irish Aid (NORAID). One other authorized by a specially constituted group with possible sympathizers In the Federal court. While the primary pur United States, the Ulster Volunteer pose of these Intercepts is the collec Force (UVF), Is a "loyalist" and anti tion of Intelligence data bearing on the movement element. national security, clear provisions are made for the use of evidentiary material PIRA In criminal prosecutions (see United PIRA Is a militant Marxist organiza States v. Megahey, 553 F. Supp. i180 tion composed primarily of residents of (E.D.N.Y. 1982), affirmed, 729 F.2d Northern Ireland andlor the Republic of 1444 (2d Cir. 1983). Recent court deci Ireland who are committed to achieving sions Indicate that surveillances under British withdrawal from Northern Ireland FISA will continue to be valuable in and the establishment of a united 32- both preventing and reacting to terrorist county democratic socialist republic In activity. Ireland. It Is an extremely violent group, In all such matters, protection of In having committed numerous terrorist dividual and group first amendment acts against the British military, Irish ci constitUtional rights Is of paramount vilians, and those they perceive as up concern. For example, no case is Initi holders of British rule in Northern Ire ated solely on the basis of membership land. One such act resulted In the death in an organization or the donation of of a U.S. citizen In the December 1983, money to the organization or cause. In bombing of Harrod's Department Store many instances, donors believe that In London. PIRA is extremely well \. this money Is going for charitable armed and well-organized. Investiga I' causes (e.g., aid to support families of tion of PIRA activities In the United imprisoned Irish soldiers). Barling spe States has centered on Individuals who cific artlculable facts which Indicate that are operatives or supporters of this or a group or Individual's activities (collect ganization Involved In the acquisition of Ing funds, weapons procurement, etc.) weapons or funds to procure them. are criminal In nature, such as aiding
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"Investigations have shown that Irish group activity In the United States ... centers around three principal elements: The Irish Republican Army or... the Irish National Liberation ArmYausnd the Irish Northern Aid Committee .... "
INLA which was established by Sir Edward Court, Northern District of California, INLA Is essentially a Marxist Carson In 1912 to resist the need for Ul the presiding judge rendered a decision Leninist oriented group also dedicated ster to participate In Irish Home Rule. that Quinn should be raleased from to the formation of a united 32-county UVF sympathizers In the United custody. The judge made this ruling democratic socialist republic In Ireland. States are Involved, albelt sporadically, based on his Interpretation that the ex· It subscribes to violence as a means of in rather low-level attempts to obtain tradition treaty between the United ousting the British from Ulster and over weapons which would be used by UVF States and Great Britain did not cover throwing the Government of the Re members In Northern Ireland against what the judge defined as a "pOlitical pUbluc of Ireland. It Is the military wing of Republican elements. The UVF Is murder," for which Quinn was being the Irish Republican Socialist Party. Al largely sectarian and anti-Catholic In Its held. The U.S. Government Imm\~ though activities often parallel actions motivation. In the United States, the dlately flied an appeal before the Ninth of PIRA, there Is no formal alliance be UVF has been generally Inactive. As an Circuit Court of Appea~$, contesting tM tween the two organizations. example of the UVF's participation In judge's decision and requesting that thiil the problems of r>'orthern Ireland, dur decision be stayed pending further ap NORAID Ing the summer of 1984 In Belfast, the pellate proceedings. This appeal was NORAID Is the main Irish fundrals UVF was Involved In an unsuccessful subseqt· 'ly granted and Quinn was ing organization In the United States assassination attempt on Gerry Adams, not reJe i; :I from custody. and purports to raise funds to support leader of the Seln Finn, formerly the In F-ooruary 1986, the Ninth Circuit families of Imprisoned PIRA and Re Provisional Seln Finn, the political wing Court of Appeals ruled that Quinn publican Movement members. It was 01 PIRA. There have been Instances should be extradited to Great Britain. In founded In 1970 by Michael Flannery where weapons recovered In Northern July 1986, Quinn's attorneys appealed and two Irish Republican Movement Ireland, which have been attributed to this decision to the U.S. Supreme veterans of the 1919-1921 period. In the UVF, have been traced to the Court. In October 1986, the Supreme January 1982, a U.S. court ruled that United States. Analysis indicates these Court denied to hear the appeal and NORAID must comply with provisions weapons possibly originated In the mid Quinn was ordered extradited to Great of the Foreign Agents Registration Act western United States. To date, there Britain. Quinn was subsequently trans (1938) and register as an agent of has been no prosecution of UVF opera ported to London, England. formally PIRA. FBI Investigations have centered tives here. charged and remanded to prison. on Individuals suspected of being cou -From June 1981, through June riers of funds to PIRA or actively aiding Summary Of Significant 1982, the FBI Initiated Investrgatlons and abetting any Irish terrorist Activity In The United States against Gabriel Megahey and Andrew organization. NORAID Is headquar The following highlights significant Duggan. Megahey had been Identified tered in New York' City with chapters lo Irish terrorist activity In the United as the leader of a PIRA cell In the cated throughout the United States. States and the FBI's Investigative re United States with sole responsibility sponse. being the acquisition of weapons for UVF PIRA. Duggan, a suspected PIRA 1981 -1982 On the other side of the spectrum, member, was alleged to be Involved In the UVF Is a "loyalist" paramilitary or -On September 30,1981, William purchasing highly sophisticated elec Joseph Quinn was arrested by the FBI ganization which represents a working tronic equipment for PIRA. Stemming In San Francisco, CA, and charged with class response to what Is viewed ..ts a from investigative Information obtained threat to Protestantism posed by Irish Violation of Title 18, USC, Section 3184 and an undercover operation, Megahey Republican terrorism and Roman (fugitive from a foreign country). Quinn and Duggan were arrested on June 21, Catholicism. The UVF was formed in had been sought by British authorities 1982. Arrested concurrently were 1966 by Protestant extremists opposed for the 1975 murder of a constable In Megahey's associates, Eamon and to Improved relations between Northern London and conspiracy to cause explo Colm Meehan. These Individuals were Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It sions. arrested as a result of a seizure of took Its name from the original UVF, In October 1983, In U.S. District
20 I FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______~------_ &
weapons at the Port of Newark on May -On May 17, 1984, Joseph Cahill John Crawley, Gavin Mf.>rtimer, John 28,1982. In May 1983, Megahey, Dug· and James Noel Drumm were arrested McCarthy, elnd tra~... ler owner Michael gan, and Eamon and Colm Meehan in New York Ci!y for entering the United Brown, all PIRA members, were ar weie found guilty of violations of the States Illegally (Title 8, USC, Section rested. Subsequent information Indi· National Firearms Act. 1326). Call111is considered the "god· cated that the cache had been off -Resulting from another under father" of PIRA who has been exten loaded earlier from the trawler cover operation directed by the FBI, two sively involved in weapons procure "Valhalla" off the west coast of Ireland, INLA members, Colm Murphy and Vin· ment on behalf of PIRA. Drumm has On October 16, 1984, the "Val cent Toner, were arrested on July 21, been described as the "money man" for halla" was located by the United States 1982, for Federal firearms violations. PIRA and is known to be involved in the Customs Service (USeS) in Boston, The undercover operation was directed financing of weapons procurement ac· MA. Interviews by the FBI and USCS of against INLA's efforts to procure tivity. Cahill, following trial In New York, a "Valhalla" crew member clearly Iden· weapons in the United States. During was deported to Dublin, Ireland, on July tlfied this vessel as the "mothershlp" in July 1983, both Murphy and Toner were 2, 1984. Drumm agreed to voluntary volved in the PIRA weapons shipment. convicted. deportation, which occurred May 18, The "Valhalla" was allegedly loaded 1984, the day after the arrest. with weapons on September 13 to 14, 1983·1984 At the time of the arrest, both Cahill 1984, at Gloucester, MA, and then and Drumm had in their possession sailed to the Irish Sea for offloadlng -Joseph P.T. Dohert~' was arM rested in June 1983, in New York City documentation which indicated they onto the "Marita Ann." as an illegal alien (Title 18, USC, Sec· had entered the United States Illegally One of the five Individuals ar tlon 3184). Doherty, a member of on March ii, 1984, at New York City. rested, John Crawley, was allegedly In PIRA's Infamous "M·60" Gang, had es· For 2 months they were involved In nu· volved In PIRA activities In the United caped from a Belfast, Northern Ireland, merous fund raising events. States. Crawley and six other Individ prison in September 1982, while await· -On July 27,1984, Robert Em· uals were indicted In April 1986, for vlo· Ing trial for the murder of a British army mett Hunter was arrested In Los An lation of the Arms Export Control Act, officer. He was subsequently convicted geles, CA, for fraud and misuse of Title 22, USC, Section 2778. the Export and sentenced in absentia to life im· visas, permits, and other entry docu· Administration Act, Title 50, USC, Sec prisonment. Information regarding ments (Title 18, USC, Section 1546). tion 2410, and various sections of Ti!.les Doherty's whereabouts in the United Hunter is associated with PIRA and had 18 and 26 USC. During May 1987, States was obtained from an FBI previously been imprisoned on charges three of the Individuals pled guilty to source. On December 13, 1984, the resulting from a bombing and possess· various counts of the indictment. These U.S. District Court for the Southern Dis· ing a firearm. A search of Hunter's and the others are awaiting further legal trict of New York ruled that Doherty residence revealed four blank birth cer· proceedings In Boston, MA. tificates and additional documents reo could not be extradited from the United 1985 -1986 States to answer cnarges In Ireland for lating to his illegal residency in the United States. On November 30, 1984, -The continuing Investigation sur· the murder of a British army officer, as rounding the seizure of weapons at the the offense was political in nature and criminal charges against Hunter were dropped so that deportation proceed Port of Newark on May 28, 1982, not extraditable under the U.S.-Britain (Megahey, supra) determined that extradition treaty. He is presently being ings could be Undertaken. -On September 29, 1984, a some of the weapons for this shipment held without bond at Metropolitan Cor were purchased by cln individual using rection Center, New York, pending de· ' cache of firearms, ammunition, and ex plosives, totaling approximately 7 tons, the name Robert Power. portation and new extradition proceed· A subsequent fingerprint analysis Ings, based upon amendments to the was seized by Irish Federal Police on board the fishing trawler "Marlta Ann" was done comparing the fingerprints of U.S.·Srltaln extradition treaty which an individual named Liam Ryan of New were adopted during June 1985. as it was heading for the port of Dingle on the southwest coast of Ireland. Five York City with those developed from the individuals, Identified as Martin Ferris,
______October 1987 I 21 Federal firearms registration form In the his weapons purchase In the above tion Service (INS) and FBI Agents for Megahey weapons shipment case, A case, On September 18, 1985, Ryan violation of Title 8, USC, Section 1252 match of the fil1gerprlnts determIned pled guilty to one count of Title 18, (overstay of B·2 visa). Mackin was re that Ryan was the individual who pur USC, Section 1001 In the U.S. District leased on $15,000 bond on July 19, chased these weapons using the name Court, Eastern District of New York, 1985, and Is presently awaiting an INS of Robert Power, -Another investigation Identified hearing. Ryan returned to the United States an Individual named Sean Gerard -Investigation by the Los Angeles. from Ireland on April 14, 1985, and was Mackin, an individual considered to be FBI Office from February 1985, until arrested on April 24, 1985, in New York an INLA member In the United States, June 1986, Indicated that the INLA was City for Violation of Title 18, USC, Sec As part of the ongOing Investiga usIng William Wallace Norton and hIs tion 1001 (making false, fraudulent, and tion, Mackin was arrested on July 16, wife Eleanor Elias Norton tv procure fictitious statements), stemming from 1985, by Immigration and Naturallza- weapons in the United States. Norton, ~.
22 I FBI Law EnfOicement Sul/etln ______------
"This allows for investigations predicated on criminal activity rather than on political or ideological motivations .... "
retired screenwriter for Walt Disney FBI Special Agent (UCSA) was placed tie 18, USC, Section 371. Conspiracy to Productions, moved from Los Angeles, In contact with an Individual named Vlolat~ Federal Firearms Laws. Title CA, to an area near Dundalk, Republic Jackie McDonald. McDonald In turn In 18, USC, Section 922 (A) (4). and Title of Ireland, during March 1986. On June troduced the UCSA to Noel B. Murphy. 25, USC. Section 5861 (D). Murphy and 5, 1986, the ship carrying Norton's vehi an Irish citizen living In Boston. ~·A. Hughes were also Indicted for dea,:;,g cle arrived in Rottl3rdam and the vehi During discussions between Murphy in firearms and ammunition without a li cle, stili in the shipment container, was and the UCSA, Murphy expressed In cense and being an alien In possession off loaded and transported to LeHavre, terest in purchasing automatic rifles for of a firearm. France. shipment to the PIRA. Negotiations be On October 2. 1986, McLaughlin On June 11, 1986, at LeHavre, tween Murphy and the UCSA culmi pled guilty to one count of conspiring to France, French authorities, based on nated with an agreement for Murphy to violate the Arms Ex pM Control Act. On information provided by the FBI, purchase 100 M-16 rifles at $500 each. October 7.1986, Jackie McDonald and searched the vehicle and found 2 ma 1 Redeye surface-to-alr missile at Roy Willey pled guilty to the same chine guns, 12 AR-15 rifles, 24 hand $10,000, 5,000 rounds of .223 caliber charge. On October 8, 1986, John guns, a rifle scope, silencers, and ammunition. and two ammunition clips Fitzg&tald, James Boyle. and Stephen approximately 2,200 rounds of am for each weapon. The total package McDonald pled guilty to the conspiracy munition. Norton, his wits, and three price was to be $60.000. charge under Title 18. USC, Section Irish nationals, Sean Hughes (aka On May 15, 1986, the UCSA met 371. On October 23.1986, In U.S. Dis Anthony James Mackenzie), James with Murphy and Cairan Hughes. an trict court, Boston. MA. a jury returned Joseph McLaughlin, and Suzanne May, Irish citizen who was responsible for guilty verdicts against Noel Murphy and were arrested by French authorities getting the weapons shipped to Ireland, Cairan Hughes on all charges except and charged with arms trafficking when to finalize the deal. On May 20, 1986. the Indictment for being an allen in pos they attempted to take possession of the UCSA met with Murphy, Hughes. session of a firearm. the vehicle. and five Individuals subsequently Conclusion The Norlons are currently being Identified as Roy Paul Willey, John held in France, without bond, on Fitzgerald. James Boyle. Steven Mac The FBI, through cooperation with weapons conspiracy charges. On June Donald. and Michael P. McLaughlin In a other U,S. Government agencies and 18, 1986, a U.S. arrest warrant was Is Bedford, MA, hotel. The UCSA, Mur foreign police services, has enjoyed sued for Norton and a complaint filed in phy, and Hughes left the hotel and went significant accomplishments against in Los Angeles, CA, charging Norton with to Hanscom Alrfleid to Inspect the dividuals procuring weapons and funds one count of violating Title 22, USC, weapom,. The other five subjects and in the United States for use by Irish ter Section, 227 B (C) (Willfully Exporting two other UCSAs remained in the hotel rorist organizations. These successes. U.S. munitions without a valid license or room waiting for Murphy and Hughes to obtained by using both preventive and written approval of the U.S. Department return. Upon arriving at the airfield, reactive investigative techniques. have of State). Norton was also charged with Murphy and Hughes were arrested. SI produced a sub$tantlal decline in arms Violating Title 18, IJSC, Section, 922(E) multaneolJ:;ly, the five subjects In the procurement activities in the United (Knowingly Delivering a Vehicle Con hotel /'Oom wore arrested. and Jackie States by Irish nationals. taining Firearms and Ammunition to a MacDonald was arrested at his place of In spite of FBI successes, Irish na Common Carrier for Transportation in empl(')YfTl~nt. tionals and sympathetic U.S. citizens Foreign Commerce). Prosecution in 'Oil June 4, 1986. Federal grand continue to attempt to obtain weapons this case is pending, but will be delayed jur~1 Indictments were returned charging and money in the United States in viola until the Nortons stand trial in France. all /3ight subjects with Conspiracy to tion of existing Federal laws. Conse -In March 1985, an undercover Vic/late the Arms Export Control Act, Ti- quently. the FBI will continue its inves tigative efforts Into the activities of Irish terrorist organizations operating In the United States.
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