TaraWatch

An Oral Parliamentary Question, regarding Garda ‘Operation Bedrock’ – which now appears to be an ongoing investigation into Tara campaigners, has been submitted by martin Ferris of Sinn Fein to the Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan. If the Minister chooses to answer, it will take place on Thursday afternoon. If not, a written answer will come early next week.

Oral questions to Minister for Justice, nominated by Aengus ÓSnodaigh, TD

To ask the Minister for Justice, equality and Law Reform if “Operation
Bedrock” is being commissioned or monitored by his Department or any
particular Department or Minister; if it comprises or is part of an
ongoing investigation into Tara campaigners ; what the scope of the
operation is, and if private data is being shared between Gardai and
private security or investigators involved in the construction of the
M3; and if he will comment on the matter.

Martin Ferris, TD

RESPONSE FROM MINISTER LENIHAN:

“I am informed by the Garda authorities that a policing plan has been

prepared in respect of the obligations on An Garda Síochána to

prevent any breaches of the criminal law during the construction of the

M3 motorway.

The policing measures in place are deemed necessary by local

Garda management who are satisfied that sufficient Garda

resources are available to prevent any such breaches. The

allocation of resources for this operation will be closely

monitored and kept under review.

I am further informed that the Garda authorities are satisfied

that no private data is being shared between An Garda Síochána

and private security or investigators as referred to in the

Deputy’s question

Gardai ‘not spying’ on motorway protesters

Irish Independent

6 December 2007

GARDAI have rejected claims they are “spying” on campaigners opposed to construction of the M3 motorway.

The Tarawatch campaign last week asked Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to launch an investigation into whether the so-called ‘Operation Bedrock’ involved the surreptitious monitoring of anti-motorway campaigners.

In September, a district court judge also adjourned a criminal case being brought against a number of campaigners, asking gardai to provide details about the operation. Yesterday, a garda spokesman said there was nothing “sinister” about the operation.

“It is local operation dealing with the construction of the M3. It ensures the right of workers to go to work unimpeded, and the right of people to protest,” he said.

RTE News: Tara link to garda documents sought

Three plead guilty to offences at Lismullen site

CLICK BELOW TO READ LETTER TO TAOISEACH

TaraWatch
Suite 108,
The Capel Building,
Mary’s Abbey,
Dublin 8.

Bertie Ahern, TD.
Office of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2

4 December 2007

Dear Taoiseach,

I am writing to you on behalf of TaraWatch, a group campaigning for the preservation of the Hill of Tara archaeological complex, which is being severely damaged by the construction of the M3 motorway. We are very alarmed by court and media reports that a Garda operation, entitled ‘Operation Bedrock,’ is investigating Tara campaigners, and demand an immediate public investigation, followed by a full explanation as there appears to be a fundamental breach of civil and human rights taking place.

Our group consists of both Irish citizens and foreign citizens, and our network includes tens of thousands of contacts. Included in that network are lawyers, who are engaging in confidential consultations; local, national and international journalists and media outlets; celebrities, like Stuart Townsend and Jonathon Rhys-Myers; members of various political parties such as Sinn Fein, the Labour Party, and the Green party; and, artists like Louis le Brocquy, Robert Ballagh, and Jim Fitzpatrick.

The Meath Chronicle reported on 10^th November 2007 that “Mr Finucane said there had been a reference to “Operation Bedrock” in material he had received and he wished to obtain additional information on that.” This was written in a report entitled, ‘Three plead guilty to offences at Lismullin’, which concerned a District Court action being taken against a small number of campaigners, relating to public demonstrations. However, in Navan District Court on Monday 3^rd December , Judge Brophy again adjourned the case, in order to await an explanation from the Gardai about the exact nature of the operation.

Today, RTE reported in a story entitled ‘Tara link to Garda documents sought’, that:

“A district court judge is to review documents relating to a garda operation codenamed ‘bedrock’, to see what relevance it has to campaigners opposing the route of the M3 motorway through the Tara / Skryne valley.”

The reason we are especially concerned is that we have now come to understand that the nature of the operation may be kept confidential, between the solicitor and the judge, and will not be revealed to even the accused in the case. RTE also reported that:

“Judge Brophy told the court that after he reviewed the documents relating to Operation Bedrock he would decide if they relate to the defendants. If they did he would allow only their legal teams to see the documents.”

We are extremely concerned that “Operation Bedrock” may be an ongoing surreptitious Garda investigation that is compromising the constitutional right to privacy of Irish citizens, as well as the rights of foreign members. The reports raise many legitimate questions:

1. Is ‘Operation Bedrock’ an ongoing Garda investigation into Tara campaigners?

2. What is the scope of the operation?

3. Is the operation being commissioned or monitored by any particular Department or Minister, such as Transport, Justice or Environment?

4. Is there surreptitious recording of private telephone conversations taking place?

5. Are private emails being intercepted and recorded?

6. Are private personal and corporate bank accounts being investigated?

7. Aside from Operation Bedrock, is there any other active police investigation of Tara campaigners taking place?

8. Is private data being shared between Gardai and private investigators and security companies, employed by the private companies like SIAC Construction or Eurolink Consortium, who are constructing the toll road?

We are writing to the Garda Ombudsman and various Ministers, in order to seek answers to these questions. We are also asking members of Opposition parties to submit Dail Questions, on the matter. In addition, we are making a direct report to the European Environment Commission, because of the potential breaches of EU law, in addition to the ones that the Commission has already alleged in the European Court of Justice, in the current case of Commission v Ireland.

There is no acceptable excuse for failing to take immediate action on this issue, because it is a grave matter of national importance that goes to the heart of the current credibility of the rule of law in this country. Every citizen has a guaranteed right to privacy as well as a right to receive confirmation that these rights are not being trampled on. They also have a right to a legal remedy and damages for illegal invasion of privacy by public and private bodies.

We wish to clarify that we speak only on behalf of campaigners associated with TaraWatch who are not a party to the current criminal proceedings, but who may be the subject of Operation Bedrock.

We are taking further legal advice on this matter and expect a substantive response within seven days.

Yours sincerely,

Vincent Salafia