SHAMEFUL LEGACY OF SUFFERING
Shameful legacy of suffering
IT has taken four years of pointless death and misery but it seems the Real IRA has finally realised its time is up.
In an unprecedented move, the terror group's imprisoned leadership has called on the rag-tag bunch of gunmen and bombers still on the loose to "stand down".
Although there is some dispute as to the authenticity of the order to disband, it represents a final, and long overdue, admission of complete moral bankruptcy.
Five years ago the Real IRA had taken on the mantle of the so-called armed struggle against "British rule" in Northern Ireland.
They claimed that the Provisionals had sold out and they were the "Real" IRA.
In this respect, they were following in the footsteps of the Provos who had done the same thing in 1969.
But these were changed times and their support was never going to be more than minuscule, even in traditionally hardline republican areas.
Within a matter of months the group had carried out the worst single atrocity of the Troubles.
Twenty-nine people and unborn twins were murdered in an act of callous brutality.
Hundreds more were injured and a whole town's population was left scarred for ever.
The Real IRA did not admit responsibility for the atrocity at the time but the public outrage it caused forced them into a ceasefire.
But they were cynically biding their time, hoping to re-emerge at a later stage.
That this never really happened, apart from the odd deadly attack, was down to the determination of the security forces on both sides of the border.
The Garda, especially have worked tirelessly at hunting down these terrorists and bit by bit they wore down their ruthless determination.
Now, most of the group's leaders are languishing in jail and have bowed to the inevitable.
Although we cannot take their word for granted, the Real IRA statement marks a total surrender.
The terror group, whatever their motivation, has set a precedent which we can only hope other paramilitary organisations follow.
The focus in recent weeks has been on the Provisional IRA, with mounting calls for their disbandment.
But the spotlight must be also shine on loyalist paramilitaries who have killed more people than anyone else in recent years.
The Real IRA statement noted that the republican cause has been "irreparably damaged" by the Omagh atrocity.
What they failed to understand is that all violence has irreparably damaged our society.
The Real IRA's legacy will be the lives destroyed by the Omagh atrocity.
So closes an ignominious chapter in Irish history
IT has taken four years of pointless death and misery but it seems the Real IRA has finally realised its time is up.
In an unprecedented move, the terror group's imprisoned leadership has called on the rag-tag bunch of gunmen and bombers still on the loose to "stand down".
Although there is some dispute as to the authenticity of the order to disband, it represents a final, and long overdue, admission of complete moral bankruptcy.
Five years ago the Real IRA had taken on the mantle of the so-called armed struggle against "British rule" in Northern Ireland.
They claimed that the Provisionals had sold out and they were the "Real" IRA.
In this respect, they were following in the footsteps of the Provos who had done the same thing in 1969.
But these were changed times and their support was never going to be more than minuscule, even in traditionally hardline republican areas.
Within a matter of months the group had carried out the worst single atrocity of the Troubles.
Twenty-nine people and unborn twins were murdered in an act of callous brutality.
Hundreds more were injured and a whole town's population was left scarred for ever.
The Real IRA did not admit responsibility for the atrocity at the time but the public outrage it caused forced them into a ceasefire.
But they were cynically biding their time, hoping to re-emerge at a later stage.
That this never really happened, apart from the odd deadly attack, was down to the determination of the security forces on both sides of the border.
The Garda, especially have worked tirelessly at hunting down these terrorists and bit by bit they wore down their ruthless determination.
Now, most of the group's leaders are languishing in jail and have bowed to the inevitable.
Although we cannot take their word for granted, the Real IRA statement marks a total surrender.
The terror group, whatever their motivation, has set a precedent which we can only hope other paramilitary organisations follow.
The focus in recent weeks has been on the Provisional IRA, with mounting calls for their disbandment.
But the spotlight must be also shine on loyalist paramilitaries who have killed more people than anyone else in recent years.
The Real IRA statement noted that the republican cause has been "irreparably damaged" by the Omagh atrocity.
What they failed to understand is that all violence has irreparably damaged our society.
The Real IRA's legacy will be the lives destroyed by the Omagh atrocity.
So closes an ignominious chapter in Irish history
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/174
Published Date: 21-Oct-02
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