Letter: We can't allow chaos to return to Northern Ireland - it's time terrorist godfathers were unmasked
A letter from Ross M Hussey:
The recent discovery by the Garda of a bomb as it was being driven across the border to Northern Ireland is undoubtedly a stark reminder to us all that the IRA, regardless of any nom de plume they may assume, hasn't gone away.
The garda commissioner, Justin Kelly, is correct in his assessment that the discovery was "extremely significant".
The commissioner also said it was “concerning that there remains a small group of dissident republicans who did not put weapons and explosives beyond use”.
I was a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board from 2012 until 2017. On September 24, 2005 it was reported that the Provisional IRA had decommissioned its arsenal and in February 2010 it was reported that the INLA had decommissioned their arsenal.
The devolution of policing and justice happened in April 2010. As a member of the Ulster Unionist Party I was totally opposed to the devolution of policing and justice at this time as I did not believe that the provisionals had decommissioned fully.
The following republican attacks occurred over the years post-2010.
Constable Ronan Kerr (April 2011): A 25-year-old Catholic police officer was killed when a booby-trap bomb detonated under his car outside his home in Omagh, Co Tyrone. The Real IRA claimed responsibility.
Prison officer Adrian Ismay (March 2016): Died from injuries after a device exploded under his van in east Belfast. The New IRA claimed responsibility.
Lyra McKee (April 2019): The 29-year-old journalist was fatally shot by a gunman targeting police lines during riots in the Creggan estate in Londonderry. The New IRA admitted responsibility.
DCI John Caldwell (February 2023): The senior detective suffered life-changing injuries after being shot multiple times by masked gunmen at a youth sports complex in Omagh. The New IRA admitted responsibility.
When I was on the policing board I continually questioned the forensic evidence in relation to attacks that could be traced back to republican terrorists and no answers were forthcoming. The dogs in the street knew the republicans did not fully decommission, particularly here in Tyrone and Londonderry. The quartermasters clearly retained 'stock'.
With constant cries of inquiries into the actions of the security forces by republicans there has been no push for the republican leadership to 'come clean'.
The discovery of this bomb and the potential for another 'Omagh' is enough for the new secretary of state and chief constable to dig deep into the management of these terror groups. We can't allow chaos to return and it's time these terrorist godfathers are unmasked and made accountable.
The explosives can be traced back to their source. The need exists for a full independent inquiry into all the attacks that have not been resolved and the Omagh bomb inquiry is the tip of the iceberg.
Let us chase these rats back to their nests and, rather than grant them pardons or letters of comfort, let them know that the knock on the door will be accompanied with an arrest warrant. Ross M Hussey, former member of the NI Policing Board and UUP MLA for West Tyrone