THE FIANNA Fáil leader has accused Sinn Féin of prolonging suffering because of its delay in embracing democratic politics.
“I am glad that Sinn Féin seems to have, at last, recognised that the Irish people will make their decisions based solely on the ballot box and not the Armalite,” said Micheál Martin.
“But it took them too long to realise this and it caused human suffering.”
In contrast, he said, Fianna Fáil was the true republican movement and could be proud of the role it played in espousing peace and unity.
Mr Martin made his strongly-worded attack on Sinn Féin at the Fianna Fáil 1916 commemoration in Arbour Hill, Dublin, yesterday.
He said it was incorrect and historically dishonest to equate in any way the heroes who fought for Irish freedom in 1916 and in the subsequent War of Independence with the actions of the Provisional IRA. “The terrorist campaign that was waged in the North was not a clean fight,” he said.
“It was dirty and nasty. It cost thousands of lives and did untold damage. It was unequivocally wrong.”
Mr Martin said “no amount of historical revisionism, wilful amnesia or media indifference” could alter that fact. He said the search for the bodies of the “disappeared” in the Troubles was deservedly well known and supported.
But it was also just the “tip of the iceberg in terms of Provisional IRA barbarity”. Just yesterday, he added, there were seven families mourning the anniversaries of loved ones cut down in their prime by those claiming a link to the patriots buried in Arbour Hill.
Mr Martin recalled that the Easter Proclamation had stated that anyone who served the cause of the Irish republic should not dishonour it by “cowardice, inhumanity or rapine”.
He had ruefully thought about “the betrayal of that noble phrase earlier this year when he had heard the name of Columba McVeigh in the news”.
“Columba McVeigh was only a teenager in 1975 when he was abducted, murdered and then hidden by the Provisional IRA,” said Mr Martin.
“His body has never been found and this week, 37 years from his murder, the search for his mortal remains is ongoing.”
He recalled that on the same date as yesterday in 1984, Thomas McGeary, a 48-year-old father-of-seven, had left his home to go and feed his cattle.
On his way back from the farm, a booby trap bomb in his car exploded, killing him instantly. “It was the work of the IRA, but they would not put their name to it,” he added.
“Instead, they used an ‘Irish Freedom Fighters’ cover.”
To add insult to injury, said Mr Martin, a “false and evil rumour” that Mr McGeary was a collaborator was spread in his community.
Mr Martin said the Government would do well to reflect on the fact that the 1916 leaders envisaged the powers of office being exercised for the benefit of the common good.
An economic crisis was no excuse to lose sight of social justice, he added.
Mr Martin said the past year had been exceptionally difficult for Fianna Fáil following the general election and the Mahon report.
“As leader I have no intention of seeking to avoid accountability for my party and those who hold office as Fianna Fáil representatives,” he added.
“It is important that other political parties do the same so that there is no room for hypocrisy or double standards.”
