‘Counter terrorism’ views widely held within unionist community
In the aftermath of Jamie Bryson’s ill-judged ‘counter terrorism’ remark there is no need for me to elaborate on the activities of the UVF and associated terror gangs, as the topic has been well covered in the pages of this paper recently. I would, however, suggest that his views are widely held within the Protestant/unionist community – they were the victims and loyalists only reacted to IRA atrocities. Recorded history may relate a different account.
I assume Mr Bryson believes that Northern Ireland was a great wee place until the IRA, masquerading as the civil rights movement, started the Troubles in 1969.
May I suggest history lessons in Orange lodges, at Eleventh Night bonfires or on band parade buses are somewhat biased. The authentic history of the Troubles is well documented in the Scarman Report, the Saville Report, the Stevens Inquiry Report and books like Lethal Allies and UDR Declassified or the ultimate book on ‘whataboutery’, Lost Lives – in this publication he will read that one third of all Troubles victims were innocent Catholics, not something he will hear at an Eleventh Night bonfire.
Loyalist terror gangs never had any legitimacy. Portraying themselves as ‘freedom fighters’ or ‘defenders of Ulster’ was a total misnomer; their victims were largely chosen on purely sectarian grounds – a school boy in Armagh, teenage girls in a mobile shop in Craigavon, a teenage boy disposed of in a cesspit in Co Down, elderly grandparents in Moy... Even if, by Bryson’s standards, they ever had any legitimacy, who are they defending now in east Antrim and north Down?
There has been no republican activity in these areas for decades and these ‘counter terrorists’ are solely engaged in fighting turf wars, defending their drug dealing empires.
The UVF exploded the first bomb of the Troubles at the Silent Valley Reservoir, attempting to blame a largely non-existent IRA.
Why would anyone want to create the impression of IRA activity when there was none?
This question may have ultimately perplexed Gusty Spence, as he stated at the announcement of the loyalist ceasefire in October 1994: “Protestant fears in the late ’60s were essentially unfounded. The IRA were mainly old men with virtually no firepower.
I am no hero. I deeply regret the whole affair.”
P McKENNA
Newry, Co Down
Logic-defying decision
The article – ‘Anger as bonfires call deferred to September” (June 22) – flags up the logic-defying decision by the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to postpone a meeting to discuss the legal position of bonfires being constructed on council-owned land, following a TUV proposal, seconded by the UUP and supported by unionist councillors, to defer until September.
Have these people provided a viable rationale as to why they wish to defer the meeting until 10 weeks after the pyres are lit? There is nothing in the report (and at the time of writing this) to suggest they have done.
Arguably, in the absence of a measured, feasible reason for a deferral, might one surmise here that the motive may be down to a pathetic loss of nerve – that is, these representatives could be reluctant to be part of a possible decision that may not chime with the point of view of many of the people who put them where they are and who wish to have their bonfire celebrations proceed unabated.
Bannside TUV councillor Timothy Gaston stated that the issue of bonfire management was a “work in progress” – whatever that means. The building of bonfires is also a ‘work in progress’. But considering that up to 19 bonfires are being built on council-operated land this year, can any council afford to drag their heels on this matter and defer it as a ‘work in progress’?
As Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner stated, the deferral “defeats the entire purpose of this meeting”.
The delaying tactics and face-saving exercises at work in this situation clearly reflect many of the reasons why important and logical decisions here are prevented from being made and acted upon in an efficient and effective manner.
This whole debacle brings to mind the metaphor of closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.
GERRY DEVLIN
Belfast BT7
Two-tier system of policing and justice
The Terrorism Act 2000 creates a number of offences for showing support for a proscribed organisation: belong or invite support for a proscribed organisation; arrange a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation;
wear clothing or carry articles in public which arouse a reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.
Yet here we are again in the mouth of the Twelfth and loyalists have been erecting flags supporting the UDA and UVF all around public spaces including outside police stations and not a single arrest.
READ MORE :
- What is the Twelfth of July?
We also have bonfires being set up in council facilities that when lit will cause criminal damage that ratepayers will be expected to foot the bill for and no arrests, nor even an attempt to dismantle these bonfires to ensure no criminal damage occurs for fear it may anger those who erected them.
All of this begs the question can anyone seriously deny that there is a two-tier system of policing and justice here?
SEAN O’FIACH
Belfast BT11
Good will always triumphs over evil
I can understand journalists and editors alike having to toe the censorship line. Politicians and doctors are frightened to speak out too, or, in other words, to express an independent opinion.
The disparities of wealth have grown so extreme that they have left, and are increasingly leaving, a smaller and smaller group of societal players who are finding themselves wealthier and wealthier. The point has probably already been passed where this select group have enough wealth and power to dictate to the whole world, able to implement their specific agendas, and direct world affairs to their own ends. There is an inevitability about this and the signs are all around that such a scenario is befalling everywhere around. It’s sad, really. Although maybe these are the end times much heralded in the Bible. Maybe many people have incarnated in these times specifically to join the fray. It’s important to remember, good will always triumph over evil.
LOUIS SHAWCROSS
Hillsborough, Co Down
