Tomás Ó Flatharta

Thanks to a source who must remain anonymous (for reasons readily understood by anyone who has had dealings with the WP) for the following background…

Who’s Who Of WP Split Emerges; Gerry Adams’ Brother-In-Law On The Outs

Ed Moloney offers interesting details about the material basis of the new Workers’ Party split.

The splitters, called the NI Business Committee, are 60/70 year old veterans, part of the Workers Party’s so-called ‘PLC machine’ whose careers with the WP go back to the early 1970’s. The ‘PLC Machine’ is run by a well known activist, with something of a fearsome reputation, by the name of Seamus Harrison.The ‘PLC Machine’ is a fancy way of referring to the Workers Party’s portfolio of bars and businesses, some as far away as San Francisco, that were built up over the years courtesy of scams like building site tax rackets, as well as drink licence permits discretely arranged by the Northern Ireland Office in the days when OIRA was regarded by HMG as an acceptable alternative to the Provos.