WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN WAKE OF VIOLENCE
What has been said in the wake of violence
THIS is how Gerry Adams' language has changed over the years:
At the Oxford Union, 1987: "I have never condemned the IRA and I never will. For me to condemn them would be to say I do not understand them."
After the Enniskillen massacre, 1987: "I don't try to justify yesterday's bombing - I regret very much that it occurred."
On terrorist attacks, 1990: "I just refuse to condone or justify actions in which civilians are victims. At the same time I'm not distancing myself."
On terrorist attacks, 1993: "I may take up public positions that go against my private beliefs but it would be intellectually and morally irresponsible to distance myself from the IRA."
On the Warrington bombing, in which two children died, 1993: "Every death or injury in this conflict is a tragedy but the wounding and killing of uninvolved civilians is especially to be regretted. Children are always innocent."
On the Omagh bomb, August 1998: "I am totally horrified by this action. I condemn it without any equivocation."
THIS is how Gerry Adams' language has changed over the years:
At the Oxford Union, 1987: "I have never condemned the IRA and I never will. For me to condemn them would be to say I do not understand them."
After the Enniskillen massacre, 1987: "I don't try to justify yesterday's bombing - I regret very much that it occurred."
On terrorist attacks, 1990: "I just refuse to condone or justify actions in which civilians are victims. At the same time I'm not distancing myself."
On terrorist attacks, 1993: "I may take up public positions that go against my private beliefs but it would be intellectually and morally irresponsible to distance myself from the IRA."
On the Warrington bombing, in which two children died, 1993: "Every death or injury in this conflict is a tragedy but the wounding and killing of uninvolved civilians is especially to be regretted. Children are always innocent."
On the Omagh bomb, August 1998: "I am totally horrified by this action. I condemn it without any equivocation."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0351
Published Date: 02-Sep-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.