Latest news with #GerryAdams
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
IRA ‘showed no grace': DUP MLA slams Gerry Adams over reflections on 2005 ceasefire as former nationalist leader also claims Sash ‘not sectarian song'
A DUP MLA has hit out at Gerry Adams, claiming he is 'sanitising' terrorism, after the former nationalist leader claimed the IRA were 'gracious' in ending their campaign of murder and violence. Mr Adams made the remark ahead of the 20th anniversary of what he called 'the most historic and transformative events in the Irish peace process' when, on July 28, 2005, the IRA issued a statement which ended its 'armed struggle'.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Adams: It's a regret that end to armed campaign took decades to bring about
The 2005 statement by the Provisional IRA announcing the end of its armed campaign took decades to bring about, Gerry Adams has said. The former Sinn Fein president also voiced regret that it took so long to come, suggesting the UK Government was focused on 'defeating republicanism'. He also said he regretted the number of lives lost during the Troubles as he reflected on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the IRA statement. The IRA formally ended its 35-year paramilitary campaign on July 28 2005 when former republican prisoner Seanna Walsh read a statement. While a number of ceasefires had been announced and collapsed since 1994, the 2005 statement saw the start of the decommissioning of weapons. The statement said that members had been instructed to use exclusively peaceful means, and not to engage in any other activities whatsoever. Mr Adams described the move as seismic, and an 'indication of confidence' by 'all the IRA' and not just its leadership. 'The statement came after there had been some sort of internal process, a huge vote of confidence in people,' he said. 'It took decades for it to be put together. 'You have to go back to Father Alec Reid, Father Des Wilson, myself, John Hume and the endeavour to put together an alternative to armed struggle. 'It took all that time to do that, but that's what the IRA said in its statement, that they believed there was now a peaceful way to pursue republican and democratic objectives, and ordered its volunteers to not be engaged in any other activity whatsoever, and authorised contact with the International Commission on Decommissioning. 'It took decades and one of my regrets is that it took so long. In my humble opinion it took so long because the two governments, particularly the British government, only sought peace on its terms, which meant defeat the IRA, it meant defeat republicanism and that doesn't work, our people are resolute.' He added: 'The proof of it is that 20 years later the IRA isn't a feature. Some may want to make it a feature, invent, fabricate and so on, but that's the proof of it.' Asked whether he felt the IRA should issue an apology for all the lives lost by their actions, Mr Adam pointed to a statement in 2002 on the anniversary of Bloody Friday, a series of bombs across Belfast which claimed nine lives. It included an offer of 'sincere apologies and condolences' to the families of all 'non combatants' killed or injured by IRA actions. 'I think in fairness that the record will show that the IRA leadership have apologised on a number of occasions about specific incidents or operations which it was involved in, particularly around the issue of civilian casualties or fatalities,' he said. 'One of the big regrets that I have is that so many people were killed, and particularly people who weren't involved and particularly children, that's a real concern. 'I say that from a community and a family which lost loved ones in the course of all of this.' However, Mr Adams added that while he thinks it is important to look back over the last 20 years, it is also important to look forward to the next 20 years and a referendum on a united Ireland. 'One thing we can say with certainty is there is going to be a referendum on the future, the Irish Government doesn't want it, the British Government doesn't want it, unionists don't want it but there is going to be the day when people will vote for the future,' he said. 'Our responsibility, and for everyone who is concerned about the future, need to be part of the conversation well in advance of that vote. Whether it is about public services, health services, the economy, flags, emblems, taking all of those issues and trying to find solutions to them that allows everyone to be comfortable in the new Ireland. 'You rarely get the opportunity to write the future, and we now have that opportunity and its contained in the Good Friday Agreement.' 'I do know that there will be a united Ireland so whether it happens the day after I die or a couple of years before then. 'It is not inevitable, the forces against it are quite strong but if we work at it. 'If we continue to do the sensible, intelligent things that we have been trying to do, then – although I would love to live in a united Ireland – it matters little to me whether it happens after I die or before it. To be able to say in my own heart to say, 'I played a part in bringing that about', that'll do me.' Mr Adams was speaking ahead of an Feile An Phobail arts event this weekend to mark the anniversary. He will take part in a discussion alongside Mr Walsh, chaired by Sinn Fein Galway TD Mairead Farrell, at the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast on Saturday.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Adams: It's a regret that end to armed campaign took decades to bring about
The former Sinn Fein president also voiced regret that it took so long to come, suggesting the UK Government was focused on 'defeating republicanism'. He also said he regretted the number of lives lost during the Troubles as he reflected on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the IRA statement. The IRA formally ended its 35-year paramilitary campaign on July 28 2005 when former republican prisoner Seanna Walsh read a statement. Graffiti on a wall in west Belfast at the time of the Provisional IRA's announcement (Paul Faith/PA) While a number of ceasefires had been announced and collapsed since 1994, the 2005 statement saw the start of the decommissioning of weapons. The statement said that members had been instructed to use exclusively peaceful means, and not to engage in any other activities whatsoever. Mr Adams described the move as seismic, and an 'indication of confidence' by 'all the IRA' and not just its leadership. 'The statement came after there had been some sort of internal process, a huge vote of confidence in people,' he said. One of the big regrets that I have is that so many people were killed, and particularly people who weren't involved and particularly children, that's a real concern Gerry Adams, former Sinn Fein president 'It took decades for it to be put together. 'You have to go back to Father Alec Reid, Father Des Wilson, myself, John Hume and the endeavour to put together an alternative to armed struggle. 'It took all that time to do that, but that's what the IRA said in its statement, that they believed there was now a peaceful way to pursue republican and democratic objectives, and ordered its volunteers to not be engaged in any other activity whatsoever, and authorised contact with the International Commission on Decommissioning. 'It took decades and one of my regrets is that it took so long. In my humble opinion it took so long because the two governments, particularly the British government, only sought peace on its terms, which meant defeat the IRA, it meant defeat republicanism and that doesn't work, our people are resolute.' Gerry Adams, centre, with Martin McGuiness of Sinn Fein, right, and SDLP leader John Hume after talks in Downing Street (Fiona Hanson/PA) He added: 'The proof of it is that 20 years later the IRA isn't a feature. Some may want to make it a feature, invent, fabricate and so on, but that's the proof of it.' Asked whether he felt the IRA should issue an apology for all the lives lost by their actions, Mr Adam pointed to a statement in 2002 on the anniversary of Bloody Friday, a series of bombs across Belfast which claimed nine lives. It included an offer of 'sincere apologies and condolences' to the families of all 'non combatants' killed or injured by IRA actions. 'I think in fairness that the record will show that the IRA leadership have apologised on a number of occasions about specific incidents or operations which it was involved in, particularly around the issue of civilian casualties or fatalities,' he said. 'One of the big regrets that I have is that so many people were killed, and particularly people who weren't involved and particularly children, that's a real concern. 'I say that from a community and a family which lost loved ones in the course of all of this.' However, Mr Adams added that while he thinks it is important to look back over the last 20 years, it is also important to look forward to the next 20 years and a referendum on a united Ireland. 'One thing we can say with certainty is there is going to be a referendum on the future, the Irish Government doesn't want it, the British Government doesn't want it, unionists don't want it but there is going to be the day when people will vote for the future,' he said. 'Our responsibility, and for everyone who is concerned about the future, need to be part of the conversation well in advance of that vote. Whether it is about public services, health services, the economy, flags, emblems, taking all of those issues and trying to find solutions to them that allows everyone to be comfortable in the new Ireland. 'You rarely get the opportunity to write the future, and we now have that opportunity and its contained in the Good Friday Agreement.' 'I do know that there will be a united Ireland so whether it happens the day after I die or a couple of years before then. 'It is not inevitable, the forces against it are quite strong but if we work at it. 'If we continue to do the sensible, intelligent things that we have been trying to do, then – although I would love to live in a united Ireland – it matters little to me whether it happens after I die or before it. To be able to say in my own heart to say, 'I played a part in bringing that about', that'll do me.' Mr Adams was speaking ahead of an Feile An Phobail arts event this weekend to mark the anniversary. He will take part in a discussion alongside Mr Walsh, chaired by Sinn Fein Galway TD Mairead Farrell, at the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast on Saturday.
Irish Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Former US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith turned against Sinn Féin after 9/11, British files claim
Jean Kennedy Smith, the former United States ambassador to Ireland, turned against Sinn Féin after the 9/11 attacks over delays in IRA decommissioning, according to UK files released on Tuesday. In a May 2003 letter to British prime minister Tony Blair's chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, the historian Alistair Horne relayed details of conversations that 'our very old friend' had when she visited him. 'I thought I should perhaps pass on, in confidence, a piece of information that I feel might be of interest, and even some use, to the upper reaches when the PM goes to Washington,' Mr Horne wrote in the letter, which is heavily redacted. 'Recently, we had our very old friend, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, to stay. I always try to keep off Ireland, but was quite taken aback when she – and with no prompting – came out with the following two remarks. READ MORE 'One, Tony Blair should be much tougher with the IRA – and with all paramilitaries. The British should stop 'pussyfooting around' with Gerry Adams , etc, and the United States would support this. 'Two, Tony Blair should tell Congress, using his enormous current authority there, that Americans should stop sending any money to the IRA. 'I was quite staggered, knowing how close she was to Gerry Adams, but this seems to be just one more example of how American views have changed so radically since 9/11. 'Although Jean was very explicitly speaking as a private person, she does of course have the constant ear of brother, Teddy, who she telephones at least once a day. 'I assume these two sentiments would represent him, too. If you know this already, please forgive me; it just came to me as quite an eye-opener.' Mr Horne, who died in 2017, worked for British intelligence in the 1950s and 1960s and he was extremely well connected in top British circles. The IRA had destroyed some weaponry 18 months before Mr Horne's letter. In October 2001, the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning's head, Canadian general John de Chastelain, reported that the IRA had put weapons 'completely and verifiably beyond use'. This timing – coming just six weeks after the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States – has been linked by some commentators to Sinn Féin and IRA concerns about US support. The tranch of UK files, most of which cover 2005, contain numerous instances of officials and politicians struggling to overcome logjams blamed on the pace of decommissioning or on the demands for it. In May 2003, according to the files, Mr Adams told Mr Blair during a meeting in Chequers, where he was accompanied by Martin McGuinness , that British demands for a definitive IRA statement were impossible to meet. 'Adams said of course republicans had said some stupid things, and in private he could say so, but we could not get the IRA to say words that were dictated to them,' Mr Powell recorded in a note sent to a Northern Ireland Office official. The letters bears an instruction that no further copies should be made of it, with Mr Powell saying that the two Sinn Féin leaders 'were very keen that we keep the fact of our meeting quiet'. In one of the files, the Belfast priest, Fr Alec Reid , who along with the former Methodist moderator, Harold Good, later witnessed the IRA's final acts of decommissioning, suggested that IRA weapons be stored in an Irish Defence Forces base 'north of Dublin'.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Hundreds of soldiers descend on Parliament angry at 'witch hunt' plan that could drag British veterans of the Troubles to court
Keir Starmer was yesterday accused of his worst 'two-tier justice' betrayal yet over a planned law change which could see British veterans of the Troubles dragged to court. MPs lined up during an emotional Westminster debate to warn the Prime Minister that pressing ahead would spark a 'witch hunt' that will 'shame our country for decades to come'. And they branded it outrageous that the overhaul will allow the likes of former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and hundreds of suspected terrorists to claim compensation from the Government over their imprisonment during the conflict. MPs, who were watched by dozens of veterans in the public gallery in Westminster Hall, urged the Prime Minister to think again about the decision to repeal the Northern Ireland Legacy Act. It had been introduced by the previous Tory government to stop veterans being hounded with 'vexatious' claims about their actions while on duty decades ago by granting them legal protections against prosecution. Supporters point out that veterans who killed IRA terrorists faced 'thorough investigations' at the time and so should not be dragged through the process again. The debate was sparked after more than 170,000 people – surpassing the 100,000 trigger point – signed a petition demanding Sir Keir ditch his plans to repeal the Act. The Mail's Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign is also pressing the Government to halt its repeal of the Act or instead produce a proper alternative. John Lamont MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, opened the debate saying that the move would 'shame our country for decades to come'. He added: 'We have seen a lot of examples of two-tier justice since this Labour Government came to power, but this may simply be the worst of all. 'How do those on the Government benches expect to go back to their constituencies and explain why they had just voted for the prosecution of veterans while allowing terrorists to sue the taxpayer? They know that is not right.' Former Cabinet minister Sir David Davis accused Sir Keir of 'threatening' veterans in their retirement. He added: 'It's a matter of justice, a matter of ensuring that those who risked their lives to protect our citizens during the Troubles know the state stands behind them.' Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a Scots Guards veteran who served in Northern Ireland, said: 'If this Act is repealed, then we are left with the single problem that it started with – how do we protect those veterans from vexatious persecution which has been going on?' The Mail's Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign is also pressing the Government to halt its repeal of the Act or instead produce a proper alternative Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin said: 'The IRA wants to rewrite history. Many of the so-called IRA victims killed were murderers and terrorists. How on earth can anyone stand up to defend these people over our Special Forces?' Ministers claim the Legacy Act has also halted investigations into the deaths of more than 200 British soldiers, insisting this justifies repealing the legislation and replacing it. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: 'I recognise the very real fears many veterans have.' Closing the three-hour debate, he said ministers were 'trying to reach an agreement with the Irish government... because doing nothing is not credible'.
