Irish Government must face up to its own actions during Troubles: DUP leader

Gavin Robinson has hit out the Irish government’s “hypocrisy” over legacy issues, and called for Dublin to “face up” to its own actions during the Troubles.

In the DUP leader’s weekly email to members, Mr Robinson said that as he attended a tree planting service in Lurgan in memory of a UDR woman murdered by the IRA, Eva Martin, the Irish Government was continuing to “ride two horses” in respect of terrorist violence.

“We must never allow a rewriting of the past and always remind the next generation of the evils that were perpetrated against our fellow men and women. 90% of Troubles murders were carried out by paramilitaries,” he said.

Referring to newly elected taoiseach Simon Harris visiting Belfast this week, Mr Robinson said: “Of course as neighbours, we want to have good relationships and work on matters of mutual concern but at the heart of that must be honesty. The Republic has repeatedly failed to face up to the role it played in the Troubles whilst regularly being critical of the UK Government’s role.

"For example, just this week the UK Legacy Act became law. It effectively draws a line under any further Troubles prosecutions. It limits victims’ access to justice. The Irish government has been deeply critical of this law – as has the DUP.

“The DUP however is consistent on this matter. We have opposed every corruption of justice since 1998 whereas the Irish government, Sinn Fein, SDLP and the Alliance Party have taken a pick ‘n’ mix approach to legacy.

"They all supported the early release of terrorist prisoners under the Belfast Agreement”.

Mr Robinson described the short sentences served for terrorist crimes as an “absolute corruption of justice,” that was “supported by the same organisations who today are opposed to the UK Legacy Act”.

He said: "This is utterly inconsistent and hypocritical.”

Mr Robinson added: “The Irish Government, whilst calling for truth from the UK Government, has been urged by the courts to hold a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, yet has repeatedly refused calls… to set up such an Inquiry. Despite the bomb being planned and built in the Republic”.