Michelle O’Neill, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, has issued an apology to the families whose loved ones were killed as informers by the Provisional IRA. This follows the publication of the preliminary Kenova Report examining the actions of British agent Stakeknife, suggesting that the republican leadership ought to apologise for the Provisional IRA’s horrific actions and for egging on communities to harass and belittle families often wrongly accused.
In a press briefing in Belfast, O’Neill underlined her sorrow for all lives lost, irrespective of circumstance, as well as for all those who suffered as a result of the conflict. Recognising her role as part of the new generation of Sinn Féin, the generation of the Good Friday Agreement, she voiced her wish that the families might find some solace in her words.
Sinn Féin’s president, Mary Lou McDonald, asserted that the pain inflicted by the Provisional IRA could not be “erased or reversed”, despite the conflict having long since ended. The struggle for truth and recognition endures and is carried forward to the subsequent generations. She stated her commitment to aiding in the healing process and advancing reconciliation.
Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, indicated that the Kenova report presented the Provisional IRA’s violent actions as largely targeting their own communities. He suggested that Sinn Féin should acknowledge that their campaign was both “erroneous and pointless”. This report served as a reminder that the PIRA is responsible for the majority of deaths during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, exceeding 1,700.
The interim report did not mince words in describing the activities of the Provisional IRA’s so-called ‘Internal Security Unit’, representing the extremes of human cruelty. It intimates that the violent actions and human rights abuses were designed to instil fear and suppress the nationalist community.
Without directly answering the contents of the report due to several civil lawsuits stemming from it, the British government chose to withhold its response, according to Christ Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Only once the full report is released will they respond. He expressed that the Kenova case, with 32 individuals linked to it declining prosecution by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in the North, illuminates the complexity of attaining criminal justice resolutions in legacy scenarios.
Jeffery Donaldson, leader of the DUP, believes the Kenova case offers valuable lessons to the British Government. However, he reminds us of the British intelligence services’ success in infiltrating the PIRA to such a degree that they nearly incapacitated the organisation. He venerated those who served with the security forces during the Troubles, praising them as brave individuals dedicated to combating terrorism, safeguarding the community and bringing peace.
Meanwhile, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood commented that the interim report uncovers a catalogue of horrors perpetrated by the IRA internal security unit, sanctioned by IRA leadership and overlooked by the British Government and security services. He pointed out the extensive infiltration of the IRA by the British services and urged both the IRA and the British government to issue specific apologies to the impacted families. He voiced his concern that ambiguous or generic displays of sorrow are insufficient and likely to be perceived as such by victims and survivors.
For the most recent discussions and analyses, tune in to our Inside Politics Podcast. Activate push alerts to receive top news, analysis and comments straight to your mobile. Keep updated by finding The Irish Times on WhatsApp.