Thursday, November 10, 2005
Sinn Féin covering up collusion
A row has erupted today in Ireland's north between the two nationalist parties over claims that Sinn Féin had secured legislation which would cover up the truth about collusion between members of the security forces and loyalist terror groups.SDLP leader Mark Durkan was accused of making insensitive and ill-informed comments after he claimed Sinn Féin had negotiated an amnesty for rogue members of the police and British army which would keep them out of jail.
The Foyle MP said yesterday: "That may not bother the British Government or Sinn Féin.
"It will certainly go down well with the (British ) army’s Secret Forces Research Unit that spearheaded collusion.
"But it will bother victims of state planned murder. They have not been consulted about a word of this.
"We have seen collusion in the past between the state and paramilitaries. Now we are seeing collusion on the past between Sinn Féin and the British government - each helping the other to cover up their dirty secrets."
"Unlike the SDLP, Sinn Féin has always supported the victims of state violence and collusion," Alex Maskey responded.
The SDLP's Justice Spokesman Alban McGuiness backed his leader's claims though.
"It covers not just Provisionals, but loyalists and people in the police or (British) army who committed murder," the North Belfast MLA said.
"Not one of them will do time, and that is what Sinn Féin has signed up to.
"It is a good deal for Sinn Féin, whose Provo associates walk scot-free without even having to turn up in court.
"It is a good deal for the British government, which can close the books on everything from the Finucane murder to the Dublin/Monaghan bombings without answering awkward questions.
"But it is a very bad deal for everyone else."
This is an outrage! The Shinners have signed up to proposals which deny Irish people justice purely so they can protect their terrorist friends!
They are an absolute disgrace to Irish Republicanism. I salute the SDLP for tackling Sinn Féin on this issue. Sinn Féin have sunk to a new low. Shame on them.
# posted by United Irelander @ 5:09 PM 
© 2008 United Irelander.
