Republicans demand truth from everyone but republicans

In recent comments the Secretary of State said that the British Government had been '˜far more open' about the past than any paramilitary group.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jan 2016, 12:47 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2016, 12:49 BST
PACEMAKER BELFAST ARCHIVE 1978 16/2/2012 Families of the La Mon massacre victims are to call for a Full Public inquiry into the IRA bomb which killed 12 people. PACEMAKER BELFAST ARCHIVE Aftermath of the La Mon house hotel fire in 1978.PACEMAKER BELFAST ARCHIVE 1978 16/2/2012 Families of the La Mon massacre victims are to call for a Full Public inquiry into the IRA bomb which killed 12 people. PACEMAKER BELFAST ARCHIVE Aftermath of the La Mon house hotel fire in 1978.
PACEMAKER BELFAST ARCHIVE 1978 16/2/2012 Families of the La Mon massacre victims are to call for a Full Public inquiry into the IRA bomb which killed 12 people. PACEMAKER BELFAST ARCHIVE Aftermath of the La Mon house hotel fire in 1978.

Certainly when one examines the facts there is no doubt that Theresa Villiers is correct.

One of the features of discussions regarding ‘the past’ is the near constant parade of republican spokespeople demanding ‘truth.’ The problem is they are demanding truth from everyone but republicans.

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They are quite happy to see the arrest and questioning of soldiers who were present at Bloody Sunday and are calling for an inquiry into events in Ballymurphy more than 40 years ago. Republicans are determined to re-write history until the point is reached where the IRA can claim it was fighting some kind of ‘just war’ and the security forces are painted as the wrong-doers.

One of the problems we face is that whilst the State actually has files which can be released, the same cannot be said of the IRA, INLA, UDA or UVF. The State can say with certainty who was serving in a particular Police or Military unit at a particular location on any given date, but terrorist groups can choose to lie about anything.

Gerry Adams’ consistent claims that he was never a member of the IRA are regarded as not credible and at the Saville Inquiry, Martin McGuinness refused to answer certain questions because he was not prepared ‘under any circumstances’ to break what he termed ‘a Republican code of honour.’ These two examples help explain why many people find it impossible to believe anything certain republicans say.

But the fact remains that republicans – in particular the IRA - hold a great deal of information themselves. They have never listed what weaponry was decommissioned and crucially what was not. As a result we do not know what arms were handed over to or retained by quartermasters who formed successor groups claiming to be dissidents. Nor have republicans ever identified those involved in the various murderous attacks such as La Mon, Bloody Friday, Enniskillen, the Ballygawley Bus Bomb, Warrenpoint or the attack on Newry Police station.

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We must never forget that terrorists were responsible for 90% of Troubles related deaths with republicans responsible for 60% and loyalists 30%. Sinn Fein has sought to whitewash the bloody past of the IRA in pursuit of a partial truth. But the truth could prove to be a double edged sword for republicans. If they really want the truth from others then they must provide the truth themselves. They need to name the names of the people who planted the bombs, pulled the triggers and co-ordinated the protection rackets.

There is however a danger in the truth for republicans. If the British Government was to offer to name the informants or agents it had within the ranks of the IRA and Sinn Fein during the Troubles, I have no doubt that there would be a number of senior republican figures today who would have a vested interested in keeping this particular truth hidden. Some of them may well be living in fear of the old adage, ‘be careful what you wish for.’

Ross Hussey

Ulster Unionist Policing Spokesperson

Related topics:IRAMartin McGuinnessPoliceBallymurphy