FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IMM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 STATEMENT REGARDING SUSPENSION OF REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS FOR SIX IRISH NATIONALS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Acting on a formal request from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General today suspended the removal proceedings of certain Irish nationals who have engaged in activity on behalf of the Irish Republican Army. In her letter to the Attorney General, the Secretary of State indicated that a suspension of the proceedings could contribute to the peace process in Northern Ireland. The Attorney General and the Secretary of State stressed that today's action represented neither an approval of any acts of terrorism in which these individuals may have been involved, nor an acceptance of the legal arguments against deportation that have been advanced in some of their cases. Instead, the measure was taken to advance the ongoing peace process and all-party talks in Northern Ireland, which the Administration has strongly supported. The six individuals currently in proceedings are Robert McErlean, Matthew Morrison, Gabriel Megahey, Brian Pearson, Noel Gaynor, and Gerald McDade. ### 97-376