Metamorphosis

It has been some twelve months since I submitted a piece to this journal about the political situation in the North. Quite a lot has happened since then. Governments in Ireland and Britain coupled with a new IRA cease-fire appeared to provide a real change to put the structure in place, in order to initiate real dialogue that would lead to a lasting peaceful settlement. Unfortunately, both the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Unionist Party declined to take their seats at the talks once Sinn Fein were admitted. They would not “Negotiate with terrorists”.

Despite the absence of these parties the talks did seem to begin making progress, even if only on a symbolic level. For the first time the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland sat across the table from Sinn Fein. More contingents than ever before representing different perspectives from the two communities began to discuss real issues. Albeit a slow process, mental models were beginning to change. For the first time, Gerry Adams expressed genuine sympathy and compassion for IRA atrocities. Political groups representing loyalist paramilitaries consistently stressed the need for all parties to remain in the talks. According to the Women’s’ Coalition, one of the more pragmatic groups in the talks, a process which started with abusive statements being thrown across the table, became a process which could “bring real change to the ordinary people of Northern Ireland”.

Unfortunately this progress was relatively short lived. The murdering of Billy Wright by the INLA galvanised the LVF into action. Murder followed murder until the UVF were linked to the activities. This resulted in their suspension subsequently followed by Sinn Fein’s, because of Ronnie Flanagan’s contention that the IRA were back in action. Hence the Peace Process took its worst blow since the unionist parties walked out.

Many have pointed to the fact that it was unrealistic to expect those who had been involved in terrorism for so long to suddenly give it up. This was illustrated by the establishment of the Continuity IRA. Indeed, because of dissatisfaction with the peace process both Sinn Fein and the IRA Army Council saw resignations. To placate loyalist dissatisfaction with the progress of the talks, Dr. Mowlam had to go into the Maze Prison and speak face to face with VVF inmates. Indeed as one psychologist put it, paramilitaries declaring a cease-fire is like a group of alcoholics going on the dry, every now and then one or two will feel the need for a binge.

Consequently we have the recurring problem of Constitutional politicians declining to negotiate with terrorists. Moreover, there often seems to be an ambiguity between the two. Sinn Fein is a case in point. Until they once and for all condemn violence and distance themselves from the IRA, unionists will describe them as the IRA. But if they aren’t representatives for the IRA, or IRA sympathisers, then what credibility do they have in the talks process? As a result we are consistently and will permanently be handcuffed by this catch twenty-two type problem, as long as this ambivalence exists.

The recent shooting dead of two friends in Poyntz Pass conveyed a poignant symptom of the deep malaise that underscores the problem. Two friends, one Catholic, one Protestant, their only crime was to go for a drink and indulge in a little friendly conversation in their local bar. Even labelling them as “one Catholic” and “one Protestant” is intrinsically sectarian. Perhaps it is only when we transcend such pigeon-holing that we will begin to find an understanding. It is only when we all, collectively begin to realise that it was two human beings who were killed, that we will begin to come to terms with the pathetic nature of the problem. Perhaps by truly perceiving the inhumanity of the situation, the will in our elected representatives can be galvanised, so that an agreement may be reached and then all sides may live in peaceful coexistence.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy once said that an error only becomes a mistake if we don’t learn from it. I truly hope that the errors in the part history of the North can be recognised so that we can avoid that detrimental mistake. So that the often silent majority who desperately want peace may attain what we in the South often take for granted.

Ronan Oliver Feehily

B. Comm (nearly!)