There was always an alternative to IRA violence

If there was ever any doubt as to the aim of republican terrorists, Michelle O’Neill has removed it.

In his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln said, “The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here.”

But 159 years later we remember every word.

Ms O’Neill’s vile comments will be long remembered, confirming that Irish republican terrorists, and their supporters, share the aims and objectives of the German National Socialist manifesto as set out in Mein Kampf... Like the Nazis, they sought power by violence and the threat of violence, including the murder of political opponents.

Two murders in particular highlight the disgrace of Ms O’Neill’s assertion that there was no alternative.

Rev Robert Bradford MP, murdered at his constituency surgery, helping all his constituents. A strong constitutional politician who stood in the way of the terrorist agenda.

Ms O’Neill says there was no alternative to slaying an Ordained Minister of the Christian Gospel who was legitimately elected to serve as MP.

Edgar Graham with his powerful intellect, and potential to lead unionism. No alternative but to murder him in broad daylight at the seat of learning at Queen’s University.

The students at Union Theological College heard the fatal shots on that cold December morning. The events of that day will forever be remembered, including the cheers from republican students at the Student’s Union.

There is a concerted effort to revise our Northern Irish history. This must not be allowed to happen, and we cannot have Nazi or Orwellian practises in rewriting “the narrative”, as Ms O’Neill calls it.

There is, and always was, an alternative: peaceful, legitimate, institutional politics.

Ask Jean McConville’s family. Ask the Bloody Friday victims. Ask the families of those incinerated at La Mon. Ask the Omagh families. History must judge and condemn terrorists for what they are: murderous thugs that threaten, intimidate and attempt to destroy the lives of men, women and children.

We continue to mourn every innocent life that was stolen and to strive for peace with justice.

Lynn Thompson

Co Down