Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Monday that the Sinn Féin party has to «deal with» its attempts to constantly justify the violence perpetrated by the now defunct Irish Republican Army (IRA).
«Over a considerable period of time I have highlighted the problems that I believe Sinn Féin needs to address. In particular, the continued attempt to justify the past: the 30 years of violence and some terrible atrocities,» he explained, as reported in the Belfast Telegraph.
Martin also indicated during a speech at the opening of a forum in Dublin Castle that «there should also be more support for the young people of Northern Ireland who are traumatized as a result of IRA violence».
«When you reflect on the physical and emotional trauma that many young people in the north suffered, no one hears of any attempt at reconciliation, rapprochement or atonement and says ‘that was wrong’,» the Irish prime minister explained.
The IRA officially ended the armed struggle in 2005, after announcing a ceasefire in 1997, following decades of conflict with the United Kingdom. However, there are other factions that have opposed the peace process and continue with their terrorist activities.
