No turning back as leaders declare ‘killing times’ over

BERTIE AHERN’s final full day as taoiseach saw him witness Ian Paisley’s declaration that the “killing times” in the north were at an end.

In a carefully choreographed and deeply symbolic ceremony at the battle of the Boyne site, both leaders insisted tolerance had defeated violence across the religious divide.

Restoration work at the historic venue was rushed forward, so the Taoiseach and Mr Paisley, who steps down as first minister next month, could officiate at its opening before leaving office.

Mr Paisley spoke of fondness for a “shared island” and said peace was the only way forward.

“To the bad old days there can be no turning back. The killing times must be ended for ever and no tolerance must be given to any who advocate there return.

“A strong dedication to peace and an intolerance of murder must drive us forward. This must be the end of all atrocities and the building of the way to peace,” he said.

Orangemen and Apprentice Boys were among hundreds of guests attending the event in Co Meath at which Eileen Paisley made an impromptu speech asking for reconciliation.

Original 17th century swords were used by the Taoiseach and the first minister to jointly cut a ribbon opening the new visitors centre at the site.

Mr Paisley presented Mr Ahern with a 200-year-old King James bible, and joked he would go through it with him one day.

The Taoiseach said it was time to respect the histories of the two traditions in Ireland while moving forward to a shared future.

“Perhaps we should pause on what is past and what is yet to be. We cannot change what has gone before, but it is not history that concerns us now, but the future.

“In recent years, many of us from the nationalist tradition have come to a greater appreciation of the history, traditions and identity of those of you from the unionist tradition with whom we share this island.

“We have come to understand the pride you take in your history and to recognise that your history is our history too. In the future let us respect each other and our different identities,” said Mr Ahern.

The two leaders then watched a reenactment of the 1690 battle which helped secure Protestant dominance in Britain and Ireland.

It was Mr Ahern’s last engagement as taoiseach before tendering his resignation to President McAleese and was intended to underline his role in shaping the peace process during his 11 years in power.

The 500-acre Oldbridge site was bought by the state in 1999 to preserve one of the most famous sites in Irish history.

The new facility cost more than €10 million to refurbish and the improvement is expected to almost treble the number of tourists who visit the site from the current level of 30,000 a year.