Steve Aiken: RIC reversal shows there are many people in the Republic who still hold a deep animosity against ‘the Brits’
It exposed a direct and underlying contradiction to their previous public statements about reconciliation.
The comments coming from Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein representatives were deeply regrettable and will further affirm the view among many unionists in Northern Ireland that there are many within the Republic of Ireland who continue to hold a deep animosity against anyone or any organisation linked to ‘the Brits’.
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Hide AdDescribing members of the Royal Irish Constabulary as ‘colonialists’ and ‘oppressors’ when the vast majority of these men came from the island of Ireland, and served their communities with dedication, is an insult to their memory and their descendants.
These types of comments do nothing to build reconciliation and demonstrate that some elements of society with the Republic of Ireland remain openly hostile to the British identity or those perceived to be associated with it.
This hostility will not be lost on unionists who are the subject of repeated entreaties to consider embracing Irish unity and who are constantly assured that all would be well.
Actions really do speak louder than words.
Steve Aiken MLA, Ulster Unionist Party leader, South Antrim