BRUTON RUNS AWAY BUT THE IRA IS A 32-COUNTY PROBLEM
Bruton runs away but the IRA is a 32-county problem
BESIDE the awful carnage, the most disturbing aspects of the recent bombing has been the alleged involvement of people in the Republic. The car was stolen in Monaghan and the bomb was probably assembled here. Moreover, it is being suggested that the bulk of the members of the so-called Real IRA are living in the Republic.
In the circumstances, it is just not enough for the Taoiseach to denounce what has happened. He has promised to ruthlessly suppress the organisation. It seems the whole world knows who was behind the bombing, and there can be little doubt that the public will support the most stringent measures. Within democracies people usually admire strong leadership, especially in times of crisis.
This week, the contrast between Bertie Ahern and John Bruton could hardly have been more stark on RTE's Prime Time on the evening of the Omagh bombing. Bertie talked forcefully and promised to act decisively, while John Bruton seemed more intent on dancing on the fence. The Fine Gael leader began with the typical politician's answer as to what should be done by suggesting a conference, "to discuss an all-Ireland security response" to the so-called Real IRA.
Other than that, his only remedy was to suggest that Sinn Fein and the IRA should provide the gardai with details of the past crimes of those who perpetrated the Omagh bombing so that they could be incarcerated. How long is he prepared to wait for the Provos to shop their former colleagues?
The Fine Gael leader was asked four times whether he would support the introduction of internment, and he then essentially funked the issue. "That's a matter that the Government should decide," he said.
John Bruton ran away from the issue. This is not to suggest that he should have exploited the situation for political purposes, but he should have been able to afford some leadership on the issue.
He was right, of course, that the effective implementation of internment is largely dependent on the quality of intelligence of the security forces. In recent weeks, the Gardai have managed to foil a whole series of planned bomb attacks, so they have obviously been on top of the situation. One of the main objections to internment has been the way in which it failed the last time it was tried in Northern Ireland. There are grounds for believing that it would cause more trouble than it would resolve in the North, but things are very different down here.
Our Government has implemented it with little difficulty and considerable effectiveness on three different occasions. With the unprecedented degree of public revulsion over the Omagh bombing, the political risks will be minimal because public support is almost total for strong, decisive action. On the other hand, if the Government does not act decisively today, it will not only have lost a real opportunity to take a bold stand for human decency, it will also be inviting real trouble here.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
BESIDE the awful carnage, the most disturbing aspects of the recent bombing has been the alleged involvement of people in the Republic. The car was stolen in Monaghan and the bomb was probably assembled here. Moreover, it is being suggested that the bulk of the members of the so-called Real IRA are living in the Republic.
In the circumstances, it is just not enough for the Taoiseach to denounce what has happened. He has promised to ruthlessly suppress the organisation. It seems the whole world knows who was behind the bombing, and there can be little doubt that the public will support the most stringent measures. Within democracies people usually admire strong leadership, especially in times of crisis.
This week, the contrast between Bertie Ahern and John Bruton could hardly have been more stark on RTE's Prime Time on the evening of the Omagh bombing. Bertie talked forcefully and promised to act decisively, while John Bruton seemed more intent on dancing on the fence. The Fine Gael leader began with the typical politician's answer as to what should be done by suggesting a conference, "to discuss an all-Ireland security response" to the so-called Real IRA.
Other than that, his only remedy was to suggest that Sinn Fein and the IRA should provide the gardai with details of the past crimes of those who perpetrated the Omagh bombing so that they could be incarcerated. How long is he prepared to wait for the Provos to shop their former colleagues?
The Fine Gael leader was asked four times whether he would support the introduction of internment, and he then essentially funked the issue. "That's a matter that the Government should decide," he said.
John Bruton ran away from the issue. This is not to suggest that he should have exploited the situation for political purposes, but he should have been able to afford some leadership on the issue.
He was right, of course, that the effective implementation of internment is largely dependent on the quality of intelligence of the security forces. In recent weeks, the Gardai have managed to foil a whole series of planned bomb attacks, so they have obviously been on top of the situation. One of the main objections to internment has been the way in which it failed the last time it was tried in Northern Ireland. There are grounds for believing that it would cause more trouble than it would resolve in the North, but things are very different down here.
Our Government has implemented it with little difficulty and considerable effectiveness on three different occasions. With the unprecedented degree of public revulsion over the Omagh bombing, the political risks will be minimal because public support is almost total for strong, decisive action. On the other hand, if the Government does not act decisively today, it will not only have lost a real opportunity to take a bold stand for human decency, it will also be inviting real trouble here.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/093
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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