Another step towards reconciliation

Political Reporter Fionnán Sheehan finds the IRA's apology to its victims was a valuable gesture.

IN the prime of their lives, William Irvine, 18, and Stephen Cooper, 19, were killed instantly when a car bomb exploded outside the Ulsterbus depot on Oxford Street in Belfast on July 21, 1972.

Thirty years later, the IRA has apologised for the death of William Irvine, and offered condolences to his family. It stops at acknowledging the grief and pain of the family of Stephen Cooper.

The difference is Irvine, a Protestant, was an employee of the bus company, making him a non-combatant. Cooper was a soldier with the 32nd Squadron of the Royal Corps of Transport, making him a combatant.

In its historic statement yesterday, the IRA used the term ‘non-combatants’, to describe those who are not members of any paramilitary organisation, members of the police, army or anyone connected with the security forces.

But taking it on face value, the statement can be accepted as a humble and sincere apology, even if it did differentiate between what it perceives as two sets of victims. No one is naive enough to expect it changes the great loss of life caused by many groups over the last 30 years.

But this unexpected gesture should be acknowledged and illustrates the importance of communication in bringing about a lasting peace.

Yesterday’s statement is a far cry from the one issued 30 years ago after one of the most devastating days in Belfast’s history: “We accept full responsibility for all explosions in the Belfast area today.” It is noteworthy that the IRA has got to a point where an apology of this nature is possible. The importance of words cannot be underestimated. This is another constructive step.

Coming so soon after Sinn Féin’s first Lord Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey laying a wreath in commemoration of those killed in World War I, it marks an acknowledgement by the republican movement of the need to reach out across and rise above the sectarian divide. The statement was welcomed by most of those involved in ensuring peace in the North lasts.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was a significant contribution to the process of consolidating peace and reconciliation. Northern Secretary Dr John Reid described it as a statement of unprecedented strength, which should not be dismissed but welcomed. Mr Maskey said it was a genuine effort to address the grief and pain of victims’ families.

In terms of future stability of Northern Ireland, it was encouraging to see the IRA restate its commitment to the peace process.

But the grim images of Bloody Friday, when the IRA set off 21 bombs around Belfast , killing nine people and injuring 130, will linger.

The IRA’s apology will mean nothing unless the organisation intends never to commit such atrocities again. It will gain far greater acceptability once the IRA disarms completely and heads towards ultimate disbandment.