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Dáil’s Ceann Comhairle has written to Northern Ireland Prime Minister Arlene Foster telling her that a controversial tweet from a Sinn Féin TD will require a “credible political response”.
It is understood that Seán Ó’Fearghaíl’s letter was sent Tuesday night after Ms Foster complained about the now-deleted tweet from Brian Stanley that made reference to incidents of the Revolutionary War and the Troubles.
Ms Foster said that although the tweet was deleted, “It is outrageous that someone with such distorted views can occupy a high-level position in the Dáil. SF talks about respect and equality but there is not much respect for the victims ”.
In his letter, O’Fearghail said that while he is aware of the “independent and non-partisan” nature of his position, he believes that a “credible political response” is now needed.
Like many political representatives from the North and South, I was personally shocked and deeply shocked by its content. Posting such a hurtful statement on social media is not only a great disrespect for the victims and their families, but also an affront to all those committed to democratic politics on the island of Ireland.
“As elected representatives, I believe that we have a shared responsibility to respectfully address the legacy of the past, promote reconciliation, and support victims and their families.
“I know you will agree that it is an enormous privilege to serve as an elected representative and, in particular, to hold a position of responsibility; however, we all have a duty to uphold the fundamental values and standards that are the cornerstone of democratic politics.
“You will appreciate that, like Ceann Comhairle, I must be particularly aware of the independent and non-partisan nature of my position. Nonetheless, I believe the statement on Twitter made by Rep. Stanley calls for a credible political response, one that sincerely acknowledges the pain and offense inflicted on the families who lost loved ones at Narrow Water, as well as the pain and the offense caused to those. who suffered greatly during the thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland. “
The Ceann Comhairle said it has given the matter “very careful consideration” since Rep. Stanley’s tweet was first reported in the media.
“While I know that he is an experienced and fair member of Dáil Éireann, I believe that he would be in accordance with the values and standards that we all cherish, particularly reconciliation and mutual respect, if the matter were more properly addressed at the earliest opportunity. In such circumstances, it would not be necessary to consider other actions. “
On Saturday, Laois-Offaly’s TD tweeted in reference to the Kilmichael Ambush in 1920 and the Narrow Water Massacre in Warrenpoint, Co Down in 1979, stating that they were “the 2 IRA operations that taught the elite of the British Army and to the establishment the cost of occupying Ireland. Pity for everyone, they were such slow learners. “
Eighteen British soldiers were killed at Warrenpoint by the Provisional IRA in August 1979. A total of 17 British soldiers died during the War of Independence incident at Kilmichael, along with three IRA men.
The tweet had sparked a backlash online, with accusations that it glorified violence and bloodshed. It is understood that if Sinn Féin does not take further action, DTs will address the issue in the Dáil committee on the procedures in which such complaints are handled.
Address the controversy
Earlier Tuesday, Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald said Stanley will address the controversy when she joins her colleagues on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday.
Ms. McDonald said: “I have spoken with Brian and he was extremely apologetic, he fully understands that the tweet was misjudged. It was an attempt to draw a historical parallel between the Auxiliaries and the Parachute Regiment but that is neither here nor there, the tweet caused discomfort, generated unnecessary offenses and controversies and for that he has apologized ”.
When asked how he would be disciplined, McDonald told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland: “He has apologized and has withdrawn the tweet, that’s the most important thing to me. Second, I am absolutely confident that I can assure you that this was a singular and unique mistake by Brian Stanley and that it will not be repeated. “
He said he would not remove him as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, as he was “very effective” and “very impartial” in office.
“He will, of course, address this controversy with his committee colleagues when they meet on Wednesday.”
Ms. McDonald was asked why Mr. Stanley should not be treated the same as Barry McEludff. The latter was forced to resign as a West Tyrone MP in 2018 after widespread condemnation of a social media post in which he shared a video of a Kingsmill-brand loaf on his head on the 42nd anniversary of the Massacre of the same name, in which the IRA killed 10 Protestant textile workers in South Armagh.
Ms. McDonald responded, “I think people will understand that many of us, throughout political life and beyond, flagged and acknowledged the weekend ambush. Brian’s mistake, and he was misjudged and he is very sorry for it, was an attempt to make a historical comparison between something that happened in the 1920s and something that happened in the 1970s. “
When asked why Mr. Stanley kept his job while Mr. McElduff had to resign, the Sinn Féin frontman replied: “You handle these cases as they arise and at the time that Barry felt, given the depth of the pain that the victims of that particular event felt. , that that was his course of action.
“I think in this case Brian has acted very fast. You have removed the offending tweet, it was a mistake, you are sorry, it was clumsy, it was misjudged, it shouldn’t have happened. That will not happen again. He will speak to his colleagues on the committee when they meet on Wednesday. “
The Sinn Féin leader was asked if she apologized to the people who survived the Warrenpoint attack or to the families of those killed in it.
“The Parachute Regiment has a very unique history here in Ireland,” Mrs. McDonald replied. “I could refer to Bloody Sunday and the Ballymurphy massacre, all the events that came out of that. I want to universally apologize to people who, like me, like all of us, wish to forge a constructive path ahead and for whom that particular tweet was shaken because it goes against what is a challenging proposition, on the one hand, to Remember and honestly remember our history and what happened, but at the same time make it aware of others.
“It’s a challenging proposition, and sadly, Brian’s tweet didn’t contribute to that effort.”
Ms. McDonald said: “I think it is a healthy lesson for all of us how thoughtful and aware we should be in the comments we make publicly and on social media platforms because we are now in a period where we will celebrate the centenary of many , many events, events that many of us consider crucial moments in our struggle for national independence, but events that still evoke very strong reactions from people of a different political tradition ”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and dismayed” by Stanley’s tweet, saying that he had done “enormous damage” to build trust and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
Stanley’s continued chairmanship of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee on the statements was a matter that Sinn Féin had to address “as a party and as a movement,” the Taoiseach said.
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