Ahern’s appeasement a threat to democracy
Having agreed to the establishment of the Independent Monitoring Commission, the Taoiseach then undermined its report on republican criminal activity by saying in advance he was opposed to any sanctions on Sinn Féin .
Then the Taoiseach said he was also opposed to the return of a power-sharing executive in the North if Sinn Fein/IRA were excluded; this after the murder of Robert McCartney.
The Taoiseach cited as the guiding principle behind his policy the fear republicans would return to full-scale terrorism to subvert the will of the people of the entire island.
What an appalling example of appeasement. In effect republicans have been given a stranglehold on the democratic future of this island.
Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern struck another disturbing note by telling us he would intervene with the US administration to try to ensure that SF would not be excluded from the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Now, as a result of his action, all democratic parties in Northern Ireland have been excluded from the festivities in the White House.
The message being sent by government seems clear: both the innocent and guilty should be treated equally.
Can you imagine the Taoiseach’s reaction if a rival fouled a member of his favourite football team and the referee called the game off rather than showing the offender the red card?
Tony Moriarty
6 Shanid Road
Kenilworth Park
Dublin 6W
