(Thursday, September 28) Still not certain about IRA weapons promise
I was very interested to hear the Rev Harold Good express that he is "certain, totally certain" that Provisional IRA arms have been destroyed. He will undoubtedly forgive those of us who are less certain. The decommissioning issue is one that has always been shrouded in mystery, intrigue and uncertainty. Along with Roman Catholic priest, Alex Reid, Harold Good was taken to a place or places unknown to meet people unknown to oversee the disposal of armaments, quantity and quality unknown.
I have no doubt that Mr Good believes what he says, but I should remind him of other certainties. There is absolutely no guarantee that the arms he saw decommissioned represents the total armoury of the IRA.
There are absolutely no guarantees that all units of the IRA even participated in the decommissioning process. There are no guarantees that fresh arms have not been brought into the country before or since the decommissioning witnessed by Harold Good.
Bound by promises of an omerta like code of silence, all that Mr Good can offer his co-religionists is that he saw decommissioning of some weapons. He then asks that we trust the IRA that they have rid Ulster of all their arms. Not good enough for me and, as I meet and talk to people from all walks of life on a daily basis, not good enough for the vast majority of people in Ulster.
When Mr Good produces lists and inventories detailing what was decommissioned, I will study it and make a decision. Until then, he can forget about asking the widows and orphans of those weapons to trust their loved ones killers.
Mr Good might trust them, but the words and assurances of assassins just isn't good enough for the rest of us.
Councillor John Finlay,
DUP Ballymoney
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
