Sinn Fein / IRA unchanged
20 February 2008
Commenting on the paramilitary trappings surrounding the funeral of IRA terrorist Brendan Hughes, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister said:
“Once again Sinn Fein/IRA has displayed its continuing allegiance to terrorism. The tricolour, gloves and black berry with which his coffin was bedecked showed that Republicans are a long way from the “sackcloth and ashes” once demanded by the DUP.
“Gerry Adams – who was once interrogated alongside Hughes – tells us that the IRA commander will be remembered with “fondness”. It is clear to me, therefore, that Republicans remain unapologetic about their murderous campaign.
“That the DUP should remain wedded to such an organisation while such displays continue suggests to me that they have lost all sense of what is morally right.”
When Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams carried the coffin of a former IRA hunger striker, who allegedly fell out with the party over the peace process, it gave an interesting insight into the real dynamic between IRA/Sinn Fein and so called republican dissidents.
The fact that Adams himself so publicly honoured his passing suggests a sustained common cause between Sinn Fein and its supposed critics. Co-operation between "mainstream" and "dissident" republicans has often been suspected, even in some of their so called "military operations". It may not be without significance that Sinn Fein leaders have even yet to urge cooperation with the police in solving the Omagh atrocity.
Sinn Fein's strategy is multi-faceted and can involve letting others do the dirty work from which they glean the political leverage."
