Ringland: Sinn Fein should match Foster's Irish language gesture

A leading reconciliation campaigner has called on Sinn Fein to reciprocate DUP leader Arlene Foster's gesture of goodwill toward Irish speaking groups in Northern Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Apr 2017, 07:15 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:47 BST
Arlene Foster during her visit to Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry on WednesdayArlene Foster during her visit to Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry on Wednesday
Arlene Foster during her visit to Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry on Wednesday

Yesterday, Mrs Foster paid a visit to Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry to meet pupils and teachers of Irish, as part of a pledge to gain a better understanding of the language.

The DUP move marks a major turnaround for the party after Mrs Foster said in February that the party would never agree to an Irish language act.

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Applauding the DUP leader for her efforts, reconciliation activist and lawyer Trevor Ringland said the onus is now on Sinn Fein to return the gesture.

Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill addresses a crowd in Coalisland to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of four IRA men at the hands of the SASSinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill addresses a crowd in Coalisland to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of four IRA men at the hands of the SAS
Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill addresses a crowd in Coalisland to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of four IRA men at the hands of the SAS

However, Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, has come under fire after it emerged she will speak at a parade this weekend commemorating the eight IRA terrorists killed by the SAS at Loughgall in 1987.

O’Neill will be the guest speaker at what Sinn Fein has called the ‘Loughgall Martyrs 30th Anniversary’, leaving from Altmore Chapel in Co Tyrone on Sunday.

In February, Ms O’Neill also attended a ceremony marking the deaths of four IRA men shot dead by the SAS in Clonoe, Co Tyrone in 1992.

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Mr Ringland has accused Sinn Fein of “living in the past” and has urged the republican party to strive to improve relationships within Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill addresses a crowd in Coalisland to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of four IRA men at the hands of the SASSinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill addresses a crowd in Coalisland to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of four IRA men at the hands of the SAS
Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill addresses a crowd in Coalisland to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of four IRA men at the hands of the SAS

He told the News Letter: “Arlene Foster is looking to shape our future differently from our past. She is genuinely trying to build a shared future for all of us and she should continue to do that.

“But Michelle O’Neill is continuing to live in the past. It is time republicans recognised the wrongs and mistakes made in the past, apologise for them and seek to build better relationships within Northern Ireland and between these islands. That is the responsibility of all of us who live here.”

Urging Sinn Fein to apologise for the IRA’s long history of violence, which claimed the lives of some 1,800 people, Mr Ringland added: “The opportunity missed by Martin McGuinness was to apologise for what republicans did in the past.

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“What would really transform our society is that we recognise that the use of violence was wrong and unjustified and we commit to never letting it happen again. That would be transformative.

“Hopefully Sinn Fein will come to that place eventually. If they don’t then we will take a pragmatic attitude to forgiveness and work with them despite that.

“Sinn Fein shouldn’t hold the rest of us back from having a shared future”.

Related topics:Arlene FosterTrevor RinglandSinn FeinMichelle O'NeillNorthern IrelandIRADUPNewry