AOH LEADER PRAISES SINN FÉIN POLICING VOTE
Quincy, MA January 15, 2007
National President Jack Meehan praised Sinn Fein leadership for their stand on policing and justice in the North of Ireland. "Time and again in this peace process we have seen Sinn Fein leaders take bold leadership positions on the cessation of hostilities, participation in elections, and governance. But none is more crucial than their stand on police and justice. Meehan continued: "It was by corrupting the police and justice powers that loyalists crushed and silenced the Catholic minority for over 50 years and provided their version of ..a Protestant state for a Protestant people."
The Hibernian leader also noted that the motion to be considered by the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis on January 28th demands once more that the British government accept responsibility for their murderous and illegal deeds in N. I. as well as in the Republic. "We ask that Britain also step and show some leadership by opening its files and its purse to compensate the victims of their cruelty with justice."
STATEMENT BY A.O.H. NATIONAL PRESIDENT ON SINN FEIN ARD CHOMHAIRLE VOTE
Sinn Fein has once again shown leadership in the search for a peace with justice in Ireland. The Sinn Fein leaders vote, if ratified at the Ard Fheis on January 28 th will set the stage for the removal of British control of policing and justice in the North and return it to where it belongsÖwith the people of Ireland. The failure of the DUP to join this effort is no surprise. It is with the police and justice powers they bludgeoned the Nationalist community into second class status and violently subjugated Catholics for decades. Those days are gone forever and to the Rev Ian Paisley we can only say ìGet over it!î
We wish to point out that the Resolution under consideration includes yet again the demand for the truth of Britainís murderous and illegal deeds not only in the North but in the Republic (Dublin/Monoghan bombings). The time for commissions, panels and inquiries is over and the time for truth, compensation and justice is now.
President Adams and all the members of the Ard Chomairle are to be congratulated for proving over and over that they are a true partner in this peace process.
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