Opposition to Boston College Subpoena Grows; Holder Ripped for Response

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS • BREHON LAW SOCIETY • IRISH AMERICAN UNITY CONFERENCE

OPPOSITION TO BOSTON COLLEGE SUBPOENA GROWS; HOLDER RIPPED FOR RESPONSE
Phila., NYC & Denver
April 26, 2012

The coalition of Irish American groups spearheading the drive against Attorney General Holder’s subpoena of records in Boston College Irish archives has released their response to his inaction and indecision.

“Our nation’s chief law enforcement officer,” stated Seamus Boyle, National President of the AOH, “has a duty … a legal obligation pursuant to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) … to oppose any request from a country that is working night and day to corrupt the Irish peace process.”

Boyle pointed out that the record of Congressman Christopher Smith’s most recent hearing is replete with documentation of British efforts to undermine the rule of law and deny justice to the victims of their misrule.

Jim Cullen of the Brehon Law Society noted: “Mr. Holder has chosen to ignore our request and, indeed, the requests of other Members of Congress including the Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations, by alleging he is constrained from acting due to litigation before the federal Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit. We know of no legal reason restraining him from withdrawing his subpoena, and there are ample policy reasons for doing so spelled out in MLAT documents.”

President Thomas J. Burke Jr., National President of the IAUC welcomed the support of Senators and Representatives who have joined our appeal including Representatives Sires (D-NJ) and Murphy (R-PA) and Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Lugar (R-IN).

Continued Burke: “Our impression is that the litigation is being used by the State Department as a rationalization for inaction and inappropriate deference of important policy considerations to the Department of Justice‘s narrow focus on legal technicalities.”

The coalition members also announced a nationwide Contact a Consulate (British) campaign in addition to their appeals to Members of Congress for letters of support.

Attachment: Coalition letter to Attorney General Holder