IRISH WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE TERROR
Irish will no longer tolerate terror'
THE deaths of 28 people in the Omagh blast have only strengthened the Irish Republic's resolve to find a lasting solution for peace, Irish president Mary McAleese said today during her visit to Australia.
The Irish people will no longer tolerate violence and bloodshed as a way of life, Ms McAleese told the Irish-Australian Business Association on the second day of her 11 -day visit.
Widespread revulsion was felt across the whole country after the bombing on August 15, she told the association in Perth.
The bombing came just months after the breakthrough Good Friday Agreement, which was signed in April and endorsed by the Irish people on May 22. The breakaway Real lRA claimed responsibility for the car bomb.
Ms McAleese said it was inevitable the agreement would be broken, but this will only reinforce the general determination to make it work in the long term.
"We knew it would be tested," Ms McAleese said. "And it will be tested again. The positive to come out of it was the strength of unity from all Irish people after the bombing."
Ms McAleese said the Good Friday Agreement had led to a real sense of optimism in Ireland.
"It is clear that most of the people of Ireland, both North and South, see the agreement as overwhelmingly their best hope for a better future," she said.
THE deaths of 28 people in the Omagh blast have only strengthened the Irish Republic's resolve to find a lasting solution for peace, Irish president Mary McAleese said today during her visit to Australia.
The Irish people will no longer tolerate violence and bloodshed as a way of life, Ms McAleese told the Irish-Australian Business Association on the second day of her 11 -day visit.
Widespread revulsion was felt across the whole country after the bombing on August 15, she told the association in Perth.
The bombing came just months after the breakthrough Good Friday Agreement, which was signed in April and endorsed by the Irish people on May 22. The breakaway Real lRA claimed responsibility for the car bomb.
Ms McAleese said it was inevitable the agreement would be broken, but this will only reinforce the general determination to make it work in the long term.
"We knew it would be tested," Ms McAleese said. "And it will be tested again. The positive to come out of it was the strength of unity from all Irish people after the bombing."
Ms McAleese said the Good Friday Agreement had led to a real sense of optimism in Ireland.
"It is clear that most of the people of Ireland, both North and South, see the agreement as overwhelmingly their best hope for a better future," she said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0338
Published Date: 01-Sep-98
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