IRA/Sinn Fein's contempt for Travers family continues
08 June 2011
Allister Reveals Ni Chuilin Contempt for Travers Family
North Antrim MLA Jim Allister raised the appointment of a convicted murderer as a Special Adviser to the Culture Minister during Ministerial Question time on Tuesday. His comments were not addressed by the Minister on the floor of the House but in a written answer to another question tabled by Mr Allister Ni Chuilin has again displayed her utter disregard for the feelings of the family.
Commenting Mr Allister said:
“Ni Chuilin says in her answer “the killing of Mary Travers was wrong and I regret very much that it happened”. It wasn't just wrong, it was murder. And what does she mean when she says it was “wrong”? Was it “wrong” in the sense that it wasn’t the father who was killed rather than his daughter? Was it “wrong” in the same sense in which Mitchell McLaughlin said that the killing of Jean McConville was wrong - wrong but not a crime?
“Ni Chuilin quickly passes over the murder to talk about the “state forces” and “governments”. Exactly how many people did “state forces” murder as they left a place of worship?
“The Minister’s utter contempt for the Travers family becomes clear in the final two paragraphs where she says:
“Republicans have made an invaluable contribution to the construction of the peace process. Without their contribution we would not have a peace process. Mary McArdle has played an important role over the past 13 years in building support for this process.
“I am therefore happy for Mary McArdle to continue in her position as my Special Adviser”.
“That such Republican propaganda could be spouted in a Ministerial reply is truly scandalous. It is an indictment of all those who endorse the so-called peace process that someone of McArdle’s ilk could be said to have made an “invaluable” contribution to it.
“Furthermore, it seems to have escaped the notice of the Minister that if it hadn’t been for people who shot young women leaving Mass and engaging in other similarly heinous acts there would have no need to have the so-called “peace process”.
“The fact that the Assembly has still not found time to debate a motion on this issue – dispite one being tabled two weeks ago illustrates that the pro-agreement consensus at Stormont is content to let this appointment pass with the minimum of fuss.”
Note to editors:
Mr Allister’s question and the answer received are as follows:
To ask the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, in light of the hurt caused to the Travers family by the appointment of a Special Adviser of a person duly convicted of the murder of Mary Travers, whether she will revoke the appointment and apologise.
Answer:
I am very conscious of the hurt experienced by all victims of the conflict, including the Travers family. The killing of Mary Travers was wrong and I regret very much that it happened.
I hope that this expression of regret will be accepted as genuine by her family. I am conscious of course that words will do little to lessen the grief suffered by the Travers family. The same applies to the families of all other victims.
The reality is that we live in a society emerging from conflict. And it is important to remember that there were many parties to this conflict including various armed groups, state forces, governments and individuals.
I do not accept that those who were once part of the conflict cannot be part of the building of a peaceful future.
Republicans have made an invaluable contribution to the construction of the peace process. Without their contribution we would not have a peace process. Mary McArdle has played an important role over the past 13 years in building support for this process.
I am therefore happy for Mary McArdle to continue in her position as my Special Adviser.
