FETING OF IRA OBNOXIOUS EPISODE - GIBSON
Feting of IRA obnoxious episode' - Gibson
THE celebration and feting of the IRA in a function in Dublin was a disgusting and obnoxious episode, Mr Oliver Gibson MLA., has said.
Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, led the commendations for IRA men who had died during the troubles. Their families were presented with statues in their memory.
The event has come in for criticism, though.
Mr Gibson said it was another example of the elevation in status and glorification of the IRA.
He added: "History is littered with, in recent years, a number of celebrations and elevations of the IRA, such as the re-interment of 10 IRA dead removed from Dublin Castle to Glasnevin republic plot. This was performed by the Finn Fail Government. In other words there is a growing glorification of the IRA dead and [members] living in the Republic of Ireland.
"West Tyrone has 97 families that mourn the murder of their loved ones. Add to this an equal number of West Tyrone constituents who were murdered outside their home constituency. Then we add to this the murder and mayhem of August 15 1998 in Omagh.
"It is the people who carried out these acts of murderous atrocity that are being decorated, gloried and feted by the IRA/Sinn Fein president, and his Minister for Education, Martin McGuinness."
The events in Dublin were also slammed by Brid Rodgers, the Agriculture Minister, and Dermot Nesbitt, of the UUP.
Mrs Rodgers accused Mr Adams of "repulsive revisionism", while Mr Nesbitt accused him of rubbing salt in the wounds of IRA victims' families.
THE celebration and feting of the IRA in a function in Dublin was a disgusting and obnoxious episode, Mr Oliver Gibson MLA., has said.
Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, led the commendations for IRA men who had died during the troubles. Their families were presented with statues in their memory.
The event has come in for criticism, though.
Mr Gibson said it was another example of the elevation in status and glorification of the IRA.
He added: "History is littered with, in recent years, a number of celebrations and elevations of the IRA, such as the re-interment of 10 IRA dead removed from Dublin Castle to Glasnevin republic plot. This was performed by the Finn Fail Government. In other words there is a growing glorification of the IRA dead and [members] living in the Republic of Ireland.
"West Tyrone has 97 families that mourn the murder of their loved ones. Add to this an equal number of West Tyrone constituents who were murdered outside their home constituency. Then we add to this the murder and mayhem of August 15 1998 in Omagh.
"It is the people who carried out these acts of murderous atrocity that are being decorated, gloried and feted by the IRA/Sinn Fein president, and his Minister for Education, Martin McGuinness."
The events in Dublin were also slammed by Brid Rodgers, the Agriculture Minister, and Dermot Nesbitt, of the UUP.
Mrs Rodgers accused Mr Adams of "repulsive revisionism", while Mr Nesbitt accused him of rubbing salt in the wounds of IRA victims' families.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1044
Published Date: 25-Apr-02
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