No wonder we see flouting of rules at SF burial – 22 years ago we told republicans rules don’t apply to them

Twenty-two years ago yesterday the Belfast Agreement was signed. I was reminded of this fact by a number of “impartial” journalists who tweeted about it in gushing terms.
By Samuel Morrison
Published 11th Apr 2020, 09:00 BST
Updated 14th Apr 2020, 01:42 BST
Some of the images from the Francie McNally burial processionSome of the images from the Francie McNally burial procession
Some of the images from the Francie McNally burial procession

One noted: “22 years ago today, an attempt was made to solve another life & death crisis. The ‘Good Friday Agreement’ was signed.”

As someone opposed to the process it was a reminder of the bias in the media. It also got me thinking of the link between events 22 years ago and what happened this week. The process has repeatedly taught republicans that normal rules do not apply to them. Republicans didn’t like the police. So the police had to change.

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Republicans didn’t like the fact that they could be brought before the courts. So OTR letters had to be issued denying many innocents justice.

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Republicans didn’t like the democratic will of the people. So democracy had to be changed so as to guarantee them a place in government for ever. Republicans didn’t like Paul Quinn. So he – like Robert McCartney and Kevin McGuigan – had to die without any political or legal consequences for those responsible.

In light of all the above couldn’t one be forgiven for thinking the Good Friday Agreement, and the process it spawned, goes a long way to explaining why republicans at the funeral of Francie McNally (pictured) ignored laws brought in to solve our current “life and death crisis”? Other families might well have to forgo normal funerals. But the lesson of 1998 is that laws don’t apply to republicans.

Samuel Morrison, TUV, Dromore Co Down

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