Double standards on Republican displays

Minister Alan Shatter has made it clear that the State will not “permit paramilitary displays, in any part of the Irish Government’s jurisdiction”. This policy is a recent novelty and not without contradiction and incredible hypocrisy.

The 1916 Republican commemorations in the South are indeed “paramilitary displays” that are fully supported by the government, including the Taoiseach who is regularly seen at these gatherings. There are undoubtedly paramilitaries at these commemorations who walk shoulder to shoulder with Government officials.

There also seems to be an undertone by Mr Shatter in his statement directed at Northern Ireland, rather than the South in condemning paramilitary displays. There are a sizeable number of paramilitary or quasi-paramilitary displays in the Republic that cause the gardaí no problems whatsoever, that are not reported but go still on.