Dismay at MP’s tribute to man who ‘tried to kill’ Arlene Foster’s father

A Sinn Fein MP’s tribute to a man suspected of attempting to murder Arlene Foster’s father has been slammed by a victims’ representative group.
By Mark Rainey
Published 28th Apr 2020, 12:37 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2020, 15:29 BST
The Fermanagh Sinn Fein Twitter messageThe Fermanagh Sinn Fein Twitter message
The Fermanagh Sinn Fein Twitter message

On Sunday, Michelle Gildernew posted a message in memory of Seamus McElwaine, who was shot dead by the SAS in 1986 near Roslea as he prepared an IRA landmine for detonation.

Ms Gildernew is the sitting MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

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The Fermanagh Sinn Fein message she retweeted said: “Remembering Óglach Séamus McElwain who was killed by British forces on this day in 1986 near Roslea, Co Fermanagh. Fuair sé bás ar son Saoirse na hÉireann.”

Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew in Omagh after winning the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat. Photo: Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew in Omagh after winning the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat. Photo: Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.
Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew in Omagh after winning the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat. Photo: Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

The phrase translates as: “He died for Irish freedom.”

Ms Gildernew then tweeted her own message: “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam Seamus (the Irish equivalent of Rest in Peace). Thinking of you, your friends and family today.”

First Minister Arlene Foster was eight-years-old when her police constable father, John Kelly, was shot in the head during an IRA attack at the family home near Roslea in 1979.

Mrs Foster has publicly stated that she believes Seamus McElwaine was one of the two gunmen who opened fire with automatic rifles from behind a hedge.

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Kenny Donaldson of SEFF (South East Fermanagh Foundation) said it was unacceptable that a terrorist “who stole lives” should be commemorated in this way.

“There is no honour in murdering your neighbour because you do not share his/her ethnic or religious background,” Mr Donaldson said.

“Provisional Sinn Fein will claim that it is appropriate for Seamus McElwaine to be remembered – that he is one of Ireland’s patriot dead who was committed to the unification of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter”.

“Let’s now be clear of facts; Seamus McElwaine did unify Protestants, Catholics and Dissenters through his activities as a terrorist, through stealing and targeting lives from across the community. Ms Gildernew has chosen to associate herself with a systemic terrorist. Where are her tweets for the innocent victims Seamus McElwaine created?” Mr Donaldson added.

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A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Séamus McElwaine is held in high regard by the republican community and Sinn Féin will continue to remember our patriot dead with dignity and respect.”

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