Sinn Féin is all take with little give

Sinn Féin defied the wishes of the GAA’s Central Council by holding what was clearly a party political commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike yesterday in Casement Park, Belfast.

Although the GAA has always been strongly identified with political views, it has studiously avoided aligning itself with any specific political party. Its officials have been representative of the broad expanse of nationalist opinion.

The association has been rightly recognised for its leading role in healing the civil war divisions, especially in areas that witnessed the worst atrocities of that fratricidal conflict.

Sinn Féin was insulting the intelligence of everyone in arguing that yesterday’s gathering was not a party affair, when the whole thing was organised by members of the party. The main speaker was Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, while the party’s MEP Mary Lou McDonald and party councillor Toireassa Ferris, the daughter of Sinn Féin Deputy Martin Ferris, took prominent parts in the proceedings.

By parading in blatant disregard for the wishes of GAA headquarters, Sinn Féin has not only walked on the association but also trampled on the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, of which it has been one of the main beneficiaries.

For that agreement to work there has to be give and take on all sides, but on Sinn Féin’s part it seems to be all take with very little give.