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27/04/2005
Mallon launches attack on SF and DUP
Former SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon has launched a scathing attack on Sinn Fein and the DUP ahead of next months elections.
The former deputy first minister said he was tired of waiting for the “complete peace” promised by Sinn Fein 17 years ago and that the DUP was only interested in their "half-truths and sectarian flag waving".
Referring to Sinn Fein's first promise of peace to his party, the outgoing MP for Newry and Armagh said: "In 1994 the ceasefire. Remember it? The vision? The idealism that we all thought was going to come? Ah, broken legs, kneecaps blown off, fellows getting their throats cut.
"You know if we saw it happening elsewhere we would be screaming. If we saw it happening elsewhere we would be going in delegations to look at, investigate it and see what was going wrong."
In an attack on Ian Paisley’s party, Mr Mallon said he was dismayed at the rise of the DUP.
"Those who led people to the top of hills waving gun licences, invaded Clontibret, were at the heart of Harryville, Drumcree and every sectarian confrontation might well now be the largest party in Northern Ireland, might well be holding the most senior positions in Northern Ireland along with those who have played with peace since 1988,” he said.
Sinn Féin’s Westminster candidate for Foyle, Mitchel McLaughlin hit back saying his party was not interested in negative politics.
“What we are doing is offering the people an alternative. We are setting out how we believe the process can be put on track,” he said.
“We now have an unprecedented opportunity to make progress, to finally and conclusively deal with the outstanding issues and to see the Good Friday
Agreement realised in full.
“But instead of supporting such decisive action or putting forward other proposals, the outgoing MP falls back on the easy option and engages in negative politics.”
(MB/SP)
The former deputy first minister said he was tired of waiting for the “complete peace” promised by Sinn Fein 17 years ago and that the DUP was only interested in their "half-truths and sectarian flag waving".
Referring to Sinn Fein's first promise of peace to his party, the outgoing MP for Newry and Armagh said: "In 1994 the ceasefire. Remember it? The vision? The idealism that we all thought was going to come? Ah, broken legs, kneecaps blown off, fellows getting their throats cut.
"You know if we saw it happening elsewhere we would be screaming. If we saw it happening elsewhere we would be going in delegations to look at, investigate it and see what was going wrong."
In an attack on Ian Paisley’s party, Mr Mallon said he was dismayed at the rise of the DUP.
"Those who led people to the top of hills waving gun licences, invaded Clontibret, were at the heart of Harryville, Drumcree and every sectarian confrontation might well now be the largest party in Northern Ireland, might well be holding the most senior positions in Northern Ireland along with those who have played with peace since 1988,” he said.
Sinn Féin’s Westminster candidate for Foyle, Mitchel McLaughlin hit back saying his party was not interested in negative politics.
“What we are doing is offering the people an alternative. We are setting out how we believe the process can be put on track,” he said.
“We now have an unprecedented opportunity to make progress, to finally and conclusively deal with the outstanding issues and to see the Good Friday
Agreement realised in full.
“But instead of supporting such decisive action or putting forward other proposals, the outgoing MP falls back on the easy option and engages in negative politics.”
(MB/SP)
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