Truth Needed On Irish Govt/IRA Collusion - DUP

DUP Justice Spokesman Paul Givan has said any process in dealing with the past must also look at collusion between the Irish government and the IRA.

Mr Givan's comments came during an Assembly debate on the findings of the Smithwick Tribunal, which found there was collusion between An Garda Siochana and the Provisional IRA in the murder two senior RUC figures.

Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan were killed in an IRA ambush near the Irish border at Jonesborough between County Louth and South Armagh on 20 March 1989.

the men were returning in an unmarked car from a cross-border security conference in Dundalk with senior Garda officers.

Speaking today Mr Givan said: "The report poses clear challenges for the leadership of An Garda Siochana about how it failed to handle concerns about rogue officers and the culture which Judge Smithwick says prevails to this day. Garda Commissioner Callinan has said he cannot accept the conclusions about loyalty to the organisation being above loyalty to the truth. He is in denial and he diminishes the apology provided by the Irish Government to the Breen and Buchanan families."

Following the conclusion of the Smithwick tribunal in December 2013, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said the two RUC men had shown a "laissez-faire" attitude towards their own security.

"The actions of these terrorists were not that of an army, and can never be justified, regardless of Gerry Adams’ obnoxious belief that these officers somehow brought death upon themselves," Mr Givan continued.

"This report should be the catalyst that brings forward the truth about the failings of the Irish Government and its agencies but ultimate responsibility lies with the Provisional IRA that carried out the cold-blooded murder of Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan and wrecked-havoc for decades."

(IT/MH)