Grand Secretary’s Office
Grand Lodge of Ireland
Freemasons’ Hall
17 Molesworth Street
Dublin 2
22 February 2016
Dear R W Bro Barry Lyons,
On 4 October 2015 I received an email of which its content was very pertinent to the charge of unmasonic conduct against the current Grand Master regarding the malicious prosecution against me over the past seven years. My first knowledge of blatant victimisation was the Kangaroo Court of 18 March 2009.
Your instruction that Grand Lodge will not hold an investigation as, I am not a subscribing member is incredulous.
Following below, is the email which I had referenced when compiling prima facia material for the attention of the Grand Lodge Board. Please also find attached the Grand Lodge mediation report of June 2008 which Grand Lodge unbelievably alleges to not having a copy.
I have provided numerous opportunities for the governance of Irish Masonry to be open and transparent. My desire to clear my name has been stonewalled by the trickery and deceitfulness of those who govern. This open letter may neither resolve matters nor bring solution. It does however provide truth and enlightenment. It exposes and confirms that Senior Officers did conspire (November 2006) to character assassinate myself and others whilst I was a Trustee of Freemasons’ Hall Arthur Square during the refurbishment work schedule.
It is noted that of those members mentioned herein the mediation report that Brian Hood, Stewart Hood, Billy Beattie, Tom Gardiner, Alan Askin nor I were Prince Rose Croix Masons. And that Retention Team accomplishments (May 2008) had commenced prior to the conclusion of the Grand Lodge mediation cover-up (June 2008). Your tenure as Grand Secretary over all these events is acknowledged.
Yours in fraternity,
W Bro R Wilson (Unattached IC)
V I T A V E R I T A S V I C T O R I A
Sunday, 4 October, 2015 9:44 AM
Dear Ronnie,
İ am dismayed at the way your Masonic career was so abruptly concluded and the manner in which you were treated.
As the serving Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Secretary attending the foundation stone laying at Portrush Hall on the 17th November 2006, I state the following.
After the celebratory dinner following the laying of the foundation stone a meeting took place and some of those involed were the GM at the time, Eric Waller, the newly appointed GM to be, George Dunlop, the PGM of Antrim, J S Dunlop, the PAGM, J L Frazer and myself.
The discussion revolved around yourself and Brian and Stuart Hood with the conclusion from J S Dunlop that basically the three of you were of nuisance to the Order and that the matter should be dealt with. İ can recall that at that informal meeting, (in which no minutes were recorded), that the only agenda from J S Dunlop was to persue (or in other terms conduct a witch hunt against) yourself and Brian and Stuart Hood. The GM and the GM elect stated that they would back the PGM of Antrim in his actions.
İn subsequent meetings concerning actions against you that İ attended, it was blatently obvious that J S Dunlop’s agenda was to bring charges of unmasonic conduct against the three of you no matter how it was achieved.
Later İ was prevented (contary to our laws and by-laws) in my capacity, as PGS, from attending all the meetings regarding the pursuance of these unmasonic charges as İ stated to J S Dunop on numerous occasions that he was acting outside the Laws and Constitutions of Grand Lodge and the By-Laws of PGL Antrim.
An example being that at a meeting between J S Dunlop, J Dickson (PGL Registrar at the time ) and myself, concerning the Retention Team, that he (J S Dunlop) was in breech of our by-laws, he actually had the audacity to state that he was the PGM and could do what he wanted, İ advised him that this could not take place and he further went on to state that he had a “PGM’s prerogative”. J Dickson actually rang me at home that evening and stated that İ was correct and that the PGM was indeed in breech of our by-laws with his planned actions and indeed he did not have a “PGM’s prerogative”.
J S Dunlop was also not bringing items concerning these unmasonic charges to the PGL BGP for discussion and/or approval. All discussions took place at Cabinet meetings, senior officers homes or hotels, and not all of the cabinet members were aware of the meetings or their agendas.
Although aware of the discussion on you no formal action was sanctioned at any Cabinet meeting nor was I ever asked to enquire as to how a charge of unmasonic conduct could be levied against you. The PGM and his senior officers were meeting with you on a frequent basis on numerous subjects and had ample opportunity to caution or warn you of their alleged concerns, as I had none.
I am aware, through international media reports, that a PSNI fraud investigation into the financial accounts of the PGL of Antrim, expanding to the years of which I Provincial Secretary, is ongoing of which I am willing to facilitate but no contact has been made to me. My concern is that my absence may facilitate some within the Order to hinder open and transparency on issues.
My 50% shareholding to the Whiteabbey Masonic Hall remains unchanged. I never could understand how a substantial asset of PGLA held partly in my name was not and never has been to my knowledge disclosed on the Annual accounts or balance sheets.
Kind regards,
Yours s&f Alan Askin.