MP describes Republic as 'haven to murdering scum' as unionists attack Dublin's Troubles record
Unionists have sharply criticised the Troubles record of the Republic of Ireland, with Jim Shannon demanding apologies from Dublin.
The DUP MP described the Republic as having been a “haven to those murdering scum” of the IRA, adding that it “is a dark, cold and unforgiving place for unionists”.
The Strangford representative was among those speaking during a debate in Parliament’s Westminster Hall about the government’s approach to the Troubles.
UUP MP for North Antrim Robin Swann was likewise critical of the Dublin government, as was Tory shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Alex Burghart.
Discussing Labour’s legacy plans, which includes a new Troubles Bill, Mr Swann told MPs that the Irish government “have not stepped up” in parallel, and have offered only “words of favour and encouragement about what they will do and what they will bring tomorrow”.
"I put on the record again my and my party’s concerns that the Irish government will not be honest actors in this matter," he said.
"We have experienced that in the past.
"We experienced it when they promised the release of documentation and records in respect of Kingsmill.
"What they actually produced was a folder of newspaper cuttings, which left the families deeply disappointed.”
Mr Shannon voiced “deep concerns” that the government has now re-started Troubles-era inquests “without a fundamental appraisal of how the coronial system in Northern Ireland approaches Troubles-related cases” (he has long argued they focus unduly on alleged wrongdoing by the UK state).
He said “we cannot and will not support this approach, which gives power and funding to those who wish to paint blood on to the hands of RUC and service personnel who were held to account at the time and since, and yet allow republicans to be painted in glowing colours of glory,” adding: “That is unbearable, and we will not ask our people to bear it.
"Neither can we allow to go unchallenged the repeated refusal of the Irish government to admit their collusion, and continuing to be a haven of safety for republican terrorists, who knew they could skip across the border and not a question would be asked, not a car would be searched, and not a murderer of babies and women would be held to account.”
He went on to say: “We know about the future of Unionists in the Republic of Ireland – it is a dark, cold and unforgiving place for Unionists.
"I hope they are listening down in the Republic of Ireland, because that is how my people see it.
"That is how my family felt, who left there to go north, because that was where they had a future…
"That is why any form of Irish co-operation with any inquiries can only begin with sincere apologies. Let us get those apologies.”
Mr Burghart pointed to the fact the Labour government was opposed to the recent attempts to provide immunity for some Troubles crimes, and said: “The idea of immunity was good enough for the Labour Government in 1998 – indeed, it was fundamental to the legislation that fell within the peace process.”
On the subject of the Republic’s Troubles approach, he said “we must remain sceptical, not least because of the Republic’s long-standing failure to produce the goods”.
He added that “it was a dreadful missed opportunity” that the UK government did not insist the Republic start its own Omagh inquiry, saying “it is shameful that there are only investigations into what the British state could have done to prevent it”.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: “On the point about the Irish commitments that many members have raised, the Irish government have said that once our legislation is in place, they will give the fullest possible co-operation to the Legacy Commission.
"They had already established by the end of December the Garda Siochana unit and it will pursue potential investigative opportunities.
"I was in Dublin to discuss that earlier this month.
"The Irish Government have now published the legislation to enable witness evidence to be given to the Omagh inquiry.
"I take the point about the separation, but I think that shows good faith because I have no doubt in my mind that the legislation to give effect to that fullest possible co-operation will appear soon.”