Electorate needs to take note of Sinn Féin’s masterful abuse of language

Newspaper reports this week show that Gerry Adams seems to have a uniquely clear appreciation of what did and did not go on in the IRA, describing as he does “their acting as a police force, IRA members were singularly ill equipped to deal with such matters. The IRA on occasions shot alleged sex offenders or expelled them. While this may have been expedient at the time, it was not appropriate”. 

Sinn Féin are masters at the art of language abuse. Shooting has become “not appropriate” and abuse “unhelpful” but neither is condemned perhaps because they were either authorised or condoned from the top. As a loud and oft-proclaimed “non-member” of IRA how does Mr Adams have such detailed knowledge of their activities and from where did he glean it?

While the current revelations by Maíria Cahill are disgusting, all normal people will be full of regard and respect for her courage and will want to see her situation properly and rightly investigated. But bad as the perpetration of sexual violence is, and it is horrible, what about the other violence upon children such as beatings, kneecappings, etc?

If Mr Adams knew such details about IRA policing of sexual violence, is it not reasonable to presume that he knows lots more about other forms of violence. Again, by their use of language, Sinn Féin continues to display a complete lack of respect for our citizenry, constantly referring to our country as “The Free State” rather than the Republic of Ireland and calling their armed wing, Oglaigh na hÉireann when in fact that is our legitimate army, not to mention their constant use of our national flag as a sectarian rag.

A political party, seeking a mandate from the electorate, while aligned closely to a proscribed organisation, needs careful examination by voters so that they, voters, know exactly what they are voting for and indeed who they are voting into office. I would like to ask that every political party and every party leader standing for election in the Dáil, should be forced to make an explicit statement regarding their attitude towards coalition with Sinn Féin, in the event that an election out-turn were to put Sinn Féin in a potential position of power. The electorate have a right to know what politicians are likely to do in such a scenario. Nobody has ever been asked to vote for a coalition, it becomes “a fix” by politicians after the event.

In order to establish the “bona fides” of all elected members of whatever political party or creed would it not be worthwhile that all elected members of the Dáil be obliged to take an oath of allegiance to this state upon taking office? Who could be against it?

Our elected representatives to the Dáil have a responsibility to the citizenry and electorate of this country not just to protect us, but more importantly to protect our future.

Shay O’Donoghue

Priory Hall

Stillorgan

Co Dublin