Should the IRA apologise for past atrocities?

[fluffybiscuits]

http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-...05871-Jul2012/

Maguinness has effectively said that there is not going to be an apology . But should there be for the crimes that were carried out or should we just forgive and forget? It is a contentious issue. If an issue like this was raised on other forums it would descend into trolling and sniping so at least I know on PW the topic will be treated with respect

[bernadette]

http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-...05871-Jul2012/

Maguinness has effectively said that there is not going to be an apology . But should there be for the crimes that were carried out or should we just forgive and forget? It is a contentious issue. If an issue like this was raised on other forums it would descend into trolling and sniping so at least I know on PW the topic will be treated with respect

Seriously and it applies to all sides I don't think an apology is necessary or wanted by the only ones who really matter: the victims.

Its so PC to think it would make a difference, but what? What I think people need is peace and time, given that healing will happen.

It is of course different if an individual chooses to apologise, again from either side, for his or her own part in the violence, but I don't see why it need be public. A word with the authorities and permission from the victims should enable a meeting to take place.

[Dr. FIVE]

Love that we even got a whataboutery option

[fluffybiscuits]

Seriously and it applies to all sides I don't think an apology is necessary or wanted by the only ones who really matter: the victims.

Its so PC to think it would make a difference, but what? What I think people need is peace and time, given that healing will happen.

It is of course different if an individual chooses to apologise, again from either side, for his or her own part in the violence, but I don't see why it need be public. A word with the authorities and permission from the victims should enable a meeting to take place.

Would it bring the past back up if it was done? You are correct though, if an individual chooses to apologise that is his business

[bernadette]

Would it bring the past back up if it was done? You are correct though, if an individual chooses to apologise that is his business

People who lost loved ones or were maimed live with that all the time. Would it make them better if the IRA/Loyalists/Brits said "sorry we blew up your husband, child, legs?" I don't know. I do know it wouldn't help me. I would have an irristable urge to buy an AK47.

No apologies can change what happened and only time will help ease the pain.

A private apology, sincerely made would I think make a difference, at least to me. I would be able to take careful aim...

[Newsy]

http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-...05871-Jul2012/

Maguinness has effectively said that there is not going to be an apology . But should there be for the crimes that were carried out or should we just forgive and forget? It is a contentious issue. If an issue like this was raised on other forums it would descend into trolling and sniping so at least I know on PW the topic will be treated with respect

I believe they should apologise. It would be an acknowledgment of the pain and suffering of the 'other' side. That would be a sign of strength, not weakness, on their part.

When the Queen bowed her head in the Garden of Rememberence, it was an acknowledgement of the pain and suffering. on the 'Irish' side.

To me an apology from the IRA would be a sign of empathy on their part and a 'growing up' attitude which would mean that they would take responsibility for the murder and violence that they were part of.

[morticia]

It would be nice to also get an apology from the loyalists/UK security forces. The IRA was, after all, only responsible for 48% of the fatalities...

[Apjp]

http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-...05871-Jul2012/

Maguinness has effectively said that there is not going to be an apology . But should there be for the crimes that were carried out or should we just forgive and forget? It is a contentious issue. If an issue like this was raised on other forums it would descend into trolling and sniping so at least I know on PW the topic will be treated with respect

Hard for you to say crimes. I would put myself in the shoes of people in Derry in 1972 before calling such actions crimes. If any apology is issued, they should all do it as it was as much the Unionists as it was the IRA. In many ways the IRA were a natural response to the conditions that the sectarian Northern state created in its oppression of Irishness and Catholics.

Calling acts of war crimes are to miss the bigger picture I think.

[Sam Lord]

And while we are at it we should get the native Americans to apologise for slaughtering the US cavalry at Litttle Big Horn. These men had wives and families after all and an apology would, even at this late stage, bring closure to the matter and allow their descendents to heal.

[Apjp]

It would be nice to also get an apology from the loyalists/UK security forces. The IRA was, after all, only responsible for 48% of the fatalities...

Well like I said they were a natural response out of an oppressed community in an oppressive state. Homes burnt down..no equal access jobs..no housing or voting rights..soldiers brought in..ethnic cleansing happening through the forced evacuation of catholic families until the 1970s. It's a wonder it took almost 50 years after 1922 for the IRA to re-emerge as a force.

In my view the British bear most of the responsibility for what happened. They fostered and groomed divisions down centuries to maintain a presence here and they did that after 1922 to ensure so in the North. Now with a possibility of full reconciliation between unionists and republicans it's unsurprising that Cameron and his Tory govt will do anything to stop scottish independence.

My own personal experience of meeting Northerners is that the only difference we have is accent. I've met lads from Protestant families from Ballymena who consider themselves as Irish as Catholics from Derry. Maybe as atheism thrives religious differences will matter less up North especially. The only difference between the 2 parts of Ireland currently divided really is that the North is still living history.

One thing about an Ulsterman of whatever hue, orange or green, he certainly won't be servile or craven like a southernman. If a new Ireland is to grow out of the economic malaise down south and the political baggage up North, it can be very promising. It's ironic too how Belfast becomes more and more sovereign as Dublin gets less and less sovereign.

Lets be honest. A lot of the Unionists who celebrate their Scottish heritage are tied to the faith of Scotland really. An independent Scotland means a new situation for Ulster. I don't understand this claim that they are so different from us anyways. They all used to speak Scottish Gaelic didnt they? That's not much different from Ulster Irish.

[Apjp]

And while we are at it we should get the native Americans to apologise for slaughtering the US cavalry at Litttle Big Horn. These men had wives and families after all and an apology would, even at this late stage, bring closure to the matter and allow their descendents to heal.

good point. Armies naturally rise out of oppression.

[fluffybiscuits]

Hard for you to say crimes. I would put myself in the shoes of people in Derry in 1972 before calling such actions crimes. If any apology is issued, they should all do it as it was as much the Unionists as it was the IRA. In many ways the IRA were a natural response to the conditions that the sectarian Northern state created in its oppression of Irishness and Catholics.

Calling acts of war crimes are to miss the bigger picture I think.

Again that is perhaps subjective , crimes against people are crimes .!

[fluffybiscuits]

good point. Armies naturally rise out of oppression.

OK That is a point that I did not take into account. A view could be taken that the IRA are either a terrorist group or were legitimate defenders of the Catholic population in NI. Im going to sit on the fence on this one as I am unsure of where I sit myself. I did click yes for giving an apology for crimes. However I can understand that some people may view the IRA as being resistance to British imperialism.

[gfmurphy101]

Perhaps the question should be "should we alaways dance to some one elses agenda"? 3 guesses as to who the sponsors of the "aplogise strategy" are ?

You can be sure some of the hacks down at the SINDO had a say in it! Sure it will keep Denis O Brien of the front pages!

(btw has Independent News and Media ever apologised for William Martin Murphy organising the GREAT LOCKOUT IN 1913, and the ensuing misery that it inflicted on men , women and children!)

[riposte]

http://www.thejournal.ie/mcguinness-...05871-Jul2012/

Maguinness has effectively said that there is not going to be an apology .

It's Martin McGuinness, Mr.McGuinness or Mr Deputy First Minister to you Fluffy.