Yet again the British government covers itself in shame and utter disgrace as the rest of the modern world looks on. It is widely accepted that past British governments have been involved in collusion in the north of Ireland. It has been acknowledged by them that they were guilty of heinous crimes of this nature. David Cameron, while PM, stated this publicly in the House of Commons and apologised for their criminal actions.
The murder of Pat Finucane was steeped in state collusion – a fact which is now accepted unequivocally by all right-thinking people all around the world.
The family of the murdered solicitor are not looking for those that pulled the trigger. No. They want to know who gave the order to murder their loved one and that person must have been controlled and answerable to someone high up or at the very top of 10 Downing Street.
The latest disgraceful refusal to hold a public enquiry is an indictment of the current government and clearly sends out a signal that they still have something to hide.
The responses of DUP members were a blight on human feelings and moral values. Unfortunately they were not entirely unexpected.
Many were killed during the Troubles by republicans, the difference was that they had no state promise of immunity. Indeed thousands of them served lengthy and often brutal prison sentences in British prisons. They paid the price. Many were killed by loyalists and many of them also served lengthy prison sentences. Many were also killed by the state forces. They did not face the courts or Diplock trials. They continued their service. Indeed some of them even received promotion for a job well done. Some of this has been documented but most of it has been covered up by past British governments.
The Finucane family are victims of the state that used loyalist paramilitaries to do their dirty deeds. The state must be held to account for their actions.
This is the only justice the Finucane family, as well as countless others, wish to obtain.
The Finucane family have struggled to obtain this for 30 years and from recent comments they are prepared, if necessary, to carry on their very worthy campaign for another thirty.
SEAN SEELEY
Craigavon, Co Armagh
US voting poll shenanigans
A good friend tells me that football is our favourite sport in Northern Ireland – my future son-in-law contends that it is GAA, whereas I know it is actually motorcycle racing. Or is it? Perhaps our most popular participation pastime is gutting our politicians. This even includes Christians who are supposed to be praying for not criticising those in authority.
Sometimes they might deserve it but at least it seems we know how to run a fair election here.
I am, however, amazed at the shenanigans going on in the US presidential election 30 days on and still counting (literally).
Some of it reminds me of what I was hearing when a child 50 years ago about our elections – dead voters, double voters, box stuffing, votes being found weeks later, wholesale postal votes with out applications. Good job our electoral office runs outside of partisan control.
Most of the contested areas in the US are in cities controlled by the Democratic Party – some have one party cities for 80 years? No chance of any corruption there.
Funny thing areas controlled by the Republican Party declared on the night of the count.
It makes one raise one’s eyebrows when American politicians offer us their so-called informed opinions on our affairs.
The US doesn’t even insist on voter ID. We wouldn’t dream of having no ID polling now – wouldn’t want the grief.
BRIAN GIBSON
Comber, Co Down
Dark forces of old still dominant
Where is our nice new Police Service that came with the Good Friday Agreement fully recommended by Sinn Féin with the promise they would hold them to account, or was it just a change of uniform? Or are there now two police services, the old RUC and the new PSNI? If so, which one is in charge?
The Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney scandal would suggest the dark forces of old are still dominant and would stoop to any depths to cover their past with no expense spared, while we are told they are being deprived of finance to enforce law and order.
While some aspects of life in the colony has changed, much remains as it was, and of paramount importance is keeping under wraps the terrible atrocities of the slaughter of Catholics by the RUC and Crown forces under the guise of loyalism, such as in Loughinisland, Pat Finucane and many others.
The treatment of journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were handled and directed by these same people, so what has really changed? Is the rot still at the top?
LAURENCE O’NEILL
Martinstown, Co Antrim
Masterful politician
Such a masterful politician is Boris Johnson to have weathered all the Brexit storms and to have steered the British people away from that bloc through their trust and faith in him as a great leader. It is a new and refreshing political direction all of Europe can learn from.
The go-it-alone bounce in the fortunes of Britain brings a welcome confidence across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland going forward.
The envy among EU nations is already catching on, now that Britain is seen to exercise real freedom.
His political genius cannot be denied in the short two-year period he’s been in control.
ROBERT SULLIVAN
Bantry, Co Cork
Shock, horror
Irish person likes Irish newspaper – ‘Dublin academic: The Irish News is a bloody good newspaper’ (December 3). As an Irish person who also likes and buys The Irish News, my one complaint is that it is compliant by restricting coverage generally to within the squigly line. While I appreciate your market is the north of Ireland, it would be welcome if more often you could include coverage of the northern part of Ireland just south of the squigly line.
LIAM CARROLL
Carlingford, Co Louth
