Enniskillen 25 Years On
08 November 2012
The following piece by TUV leader Jim Allister appeared in this morning's News Letter:
"Northern Ireland witnessed many brutal acts of terrorism over a 40 year campaign of murder but there is no doubt that the bombing of the Remembrance Service in Enniskillen on 8th November 1987 ranked among the worst. While innocent men, women and children paid their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice a bomb went off which ultimately ended twelve lives. Many others are left with deep physical and mental scares which will never heal.
"But adding to the hurt inflicted by the bombing is the knowledge that no one has ever been held accountable for this vile IRA atrocity. Not only that but the innocent victims of Enniskillen have had to suffer numerous insults from Republicans in the quarter century since the bombing. Just last year Sinn Fein announced that they were planning to hold a rally commemorating IRA terrorist Bobby Sands in the Clinton Centre, the building which now stands on the site of the bombing. The event was only cancelled following an outcry from victims. A few weeks later Sinn Fein posters were erected at the Cenotaph. Again an outcry from victims forced Republicans to remove them. This was in spite of Sinn Fein issuing an assurance that such insensitivity would not be displayed again after a similar incident in 2010.
"Then we had the whole saga surrounding the display of a photographic tribute to the victims of the bombing being removed from Enniskillen fire station. Given the bravery of fire service personnel and the fact that without their efforts other lives would have been lost it is absolutely outrageous that the tribute depicting those who were murdered has been removed. I and my party continue to support the victims in their demand that the original tribute should be put back on display.
"The recent announcement by the Historical Enquiries Team that they are considering a new investigation into the bombing has already been met with understandable scepticism from victims. I trust it is not a cynical attempt to pretend that something is being done because of the media spotlight on the 25th anniversary.
"The demand of the victims is for justice. In 2008 a Peter Taylor documentary alleged that Martin McGuinness had prior knowledge of and gave approval for the attack. Following the broadcast I called for the PSNI to question McGuinness. Sadly, because of political considerations, such has never happened, rather this IRA commander is sustained in office as Joint First Minister. Such is the perversity by which terrorism has been rewarded and victims forgotten."
