IRA victims don’t want SF in government

AS a victim of Provisional IRA terrorism, I wish to reflect the views of our organisation, West Tyrone Voice, on the recent St Andrews talks.

Five years ago, our executive committee took a unanimous decision totally opposing terrorists in the government of Northern Ireland. This decision still stands. As innocent victims of terrorism, we cannot adopt any other position without insulting and belittling the memory of those whom the IRA murdered and injured.

I am amazed the government has placed democratic politicians in the unenviable position where they will undermine democracy and further offend and enrage IRA victims.

We had the failed Good Friday Agreement and now we have a doomed-to- fail Bad Friday Agreement.

Whether it is a new agreement, as Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP) states, or the Belfast Agreement with knobs on it, as Alan McFarland (UUP) suggests, is immaterial.

For us, we still have the profoundly uncomfortable position where our murderers and attackers will hold high office and governmental authority in the affairs of Northern Ireland, and hence over their victims yet again.

Victims will never accept willingly the right of terrorists to govern them, either nationally or locally. It appears there are now no terrorists in Northern Ireland. Is this the case?

I trust the electorate in Northern Ireland will send a very clear message to our politicians that having terrorists in government is not an option, regardless of which party is prepared to work with them.

Victims and the general populace must listen to the analysis provided by the DUP’s Jim Allister QC, MEP, and by the UKUP’s Bob McCartney QC, and be guided by them. These men can think for themselves, and we must do likewise.

This is certainly a ‘crossroads’ scenario, and we must ensure that Northern Ireland takes the right road — there must be no terrorists in government.

Dr JE Hazlett Lynch

Director

West Tyrone Voice

Moyle Road

Newtownstewart

Co Tyrone