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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Top republican has assets frozen | Top republican has assets frozen |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has frozen the assets of a leading republican in South Armagh. | The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has frozen the assets of a leading republican in South Armagh. |
| It has been granted a court order to take control of properties and bank accounts belonging to Sean Gerard Hughes of Aghadavoyle Road, Dromintee. | |
| The agency claimed the assets came from laundering the proceeds of mortgage fraud, tax evasion and benefit fraud. | The agency claimed the assets came from laundering the proceeds of mortgage fraud, tax evasion and benefit fraud. |
| In 2002, Mr Hughes was named in parliament as a member of the IRA's Army Council, an allegation he denied. | In 2002, Mr Hughes was named in parliament as a member of the IRA's Army Council, an allegation he denied. |
| The assets frozen include eight houses in south Armagh, an apartment in south Belfast, the proceeds of the sale of three other houses in south Armagh and a number of bank accounts. | The assets frozen include eight houses in south Armagh, an apartment in south Belfast, the proceeds of the sale of three other houses in south Armagh and a number of bank accounts. |
| Murder | Murder |
| The agency has also taken control of assets belonging to 10 other people in the south Armagh area, including six members of the extended Hughes family, among them Mr Hughes' wife Annette. | The agency has also taken control of assets belonging to 10 other people in the south Armagh area, including six members of the extended Hughes family, among them Mr Hughes' wife Annette. |
| SOCA also searched a number of properties in the south Armagh area. | SOCA also searched a number of properties in the south Armagh area. |
| On Tuesday, Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy criticised the operation. | On Tuesday, Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy criticised the operation. |
| Mr Murphy said: "The raids today on Sean's home and those of a number of his relatives have caused deep anger in South Armagh. | Mr Murphy said: "The raids today on Sean's home and those of a number of his relatives have caused deep anger in South Armagh. |
| "There is no justification for the deliberate targeting of Sean and his family today." | "There is no justification for the deliberate targeting of Sean and his family today." |
| Two years ago, Ulster Unionist peer Lord Laird used parliamentary privilege in the House of Lords to allege that Hughes was one of a number of senior IRA members who authorised the murder of Paul Quinn, who was beaten to death in a remote shed in County Monaghan. | Two years ago, Ulster Unionist peer Lord Laird used parliamentary privilege in the House of Lords to allege that Hughes was one of a number of senior IRA members who authorised the murder of Paul Quinn, who was beaten to death in a remote shed in County Monaghan. |
| Sinn Fein has said it does not believe there was any republican involvement in that murder. | Sinn Fein has said it does not believe there was any republican involvement in that murder. |
| 'Ruthless' | 'Ruthless' |
| In 2002 the DUP leader Peter Robinson used parliamentary privilege to tell the House of Commons that Mr Hughes was linked to the 1996 South Quay bombing in Canary Wharf in which two citizens were killed. | In 2002 the DUP leader Peter Robinson used parliamentary privilege to tell the House of Commons that Mr Hughes was linked to the 1996 South Quay bombing in Canary Wharf in which two citizens were killed. |
| Mr Robinson also alleged that Mr Hughes was also responsible for killing of 12 soldiers at Warrenpoint in 1979, a mortar bombing in Newry and the killing of Northern Ireland judge Maurice Gibson and his wife Cecily in 1987. | Mr Robinson also alleged that Mr Hughes was also responsible for killing of 12 soldiers at Warrenpoint in 1979, a mortar bombing in Newry and the killing of Northern Ireland judge Maurice Gibson and his wife Cecily in 1987. |
| He said Mr Hughes was the most "ruthless killer and thug" in the ranks of the IRA. | He said Mr Hughes was the most "ruthless killer and thug" in the ranks of the IRA. |
| Eight years ago Mr Hughes was convicted of fraudulently claiming income support and fined £1500 after pleading guilty to two charges. | Eight years ago Mr Hughes was convicted of fraudulently claiming income support and fined £1500 after pleading guilty to two charges. |
| Last year he gave an oration at the funeral of IRA commander Brian Keenan. | Last year he gave an oration at the funeral of IRA commander Brian Keenan. |