Sinn Fein challenge Government on violence
The Government was tonight challenged by Sinn Fein to do more to address sectarian tensions in Belfast.
Following an appeal by Anglican Archbishop Robin Eames for a suspension of sectarian rioting along Belfast’s peaceline, a Sinn Fein TD said Bertie Ahern’s Government needed to play a “more hands on role” in defusing tensions in the city.
Dublin South Central TD Aengus O Snodaigh said after touring the Short Strand area in east Belfast, where some of the worst violence has occurred this summer: “Mr Ahern’s government has had meetings with local residents but I think more needs to be done.
“The political establishment in the 26 Counties must acknowledge what is happening in places like Ardoyne in north Belfast and the Short Strand.
“Nationalist communities are living under siege and are living in intolerable conditions. They are living on the edge under nightly attack.
“It is not just sufficient to hold meetings. There must be an attempt to truly understand the anger and frustration that nationalist communities are feeling in the face of a loyalist attacks.”
The Sinn Fein TD said he would report back to the Dail and urge them to send a cross party delegation over the border to visit nationalist communities in Belfast.
He also rounded on the PSNI Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast Alan McQuillan for accusing the Provisional IRA of fuelling much of the violence in east Belfast along with the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force.
“Talk to people in the Short Strand about the police and they will tell you about the one-sided behaviour of officers,” Mr O Snodaigh responded.
“They will tell you how despite police cameras and a supposed police presence, loyalists have been allowed to gather in their hundreds along the interface and throw bricks, stones, blast and petrol bombs and other missiles.
“Contrast that to the way the police move in against nationalists even when they gather to deal with the fires breaking out on their homes. Alan McQuillan has no credibility in communities like the Short Strand and Ardoyne.”
Following a night when a heavy security force presence swamped east Belfast, successfully quelling the violence, Archbishop Eames urged rival sides to call a halt to the violence.
“It is in the interests of everybody before this gets completely out of control to draw back for a period in which we know there are people working very hard to try and bring some sort of peace,” he said.
“Give those efforts a chance by allowing us to have a period when we say: ‘Look, stop it all, we are going to try to get to an agreement that’s going to prevent lives being lost.
“If this continues lives will be lost.”
Dr Eames said people living in the most volatile areas are being manipulated by the terror organisations. However he believed a willingness to try to find a solution was present on both sides.
“I’m appealing with any moral authority I may have, particularly in loyalist organisations,” he said.
“We have got to recognise the dangers in this situation.”
Unionists welcomed Assistant Chief Constable McQuillan’s identification of the IRA and UVF, with a Democratic Unionist member of the Police Board calling on the British government to take sanctions against Sinn Fein.
East Belfast MLA Sammy Wilson argued: “The top policeman in Belfast has clearly accused the IRA of conducting a war by another means through the orchestration of street violence in the city.
“The Secretary of State must not come to Sinn Fein’s aid by pretending that the police allegations can be ignored. They are on the public record and if John Reid is to have any credibility he must act.
“He acted when a similar assessment was made on the Ulster Defence Association. He acted when the finger of blame for street disorders was pointed at Johnny Adair. Here is his chance to show that the Government is not partisan on the issue of violence.”
