Tell It Like It Is

Last week, I was intrigued by the furore surrounding events in Manchester. I read with interest about the Assets Recovery Agency raids that have been linked to the alleged IRA Chief Of Staff, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy.

In a nutshell, the ARA has raided property in Manchester suspected to belong to an IRA member. This is a good thing. Isn’t it? Criminality being treated as criminality.

But no! Northern Ireland’s politicians spotted the reporters! The condemnation and cliche machine went into overdrive…

First to the mic was Mr Gerry Adams. I am not going to respond to what are obviously briefings headed up by a man, Alan McQuillan, a former Special Branch officer…This is obviously a political agenda. Round condemnations indeed. And leave poor Mr Murphy alone while you’re at it, he’s just a poor farmer.

Danny Kennedy is next up for the Ulster Unionists (where is Sir Reg these days?). His forecast is grim:If, after investigation by the ARA, the properties turn out to be linked to the IRA this will have very serious consequences for the political process in Northern Ireland. Why? Is this unexpected? Former glorified terrorists reduced to common criminals is what we want, whatever flag they choose to fly outside their ?30 million houses!

And where would the report be without the inimitable Mr Paisley, welcoming the move and wishing the police every success. At the bottom of the Belfast Telegraph report, we get a mumbled:

The raids were also welcomed by Alliance leader David Ford and the SDLP’s Alex Attwood.

The Assets Recovery Agency’s investigation has been a victory of sorts for the people of Northern Ireland. Though you might not think it to read the news.

It has now been shown that members of terrorist and criminal groups are no longer immune from the law. The people who have profitted from the troubles in Northern Ireland are about to get a rather rude wake-up call!

Yet, rather than celebrate the fact, this huddle of low-grade politicians are trying to make capital out of it. We are forced to listen to yet another unimaginitive diatribe about what dire consequences this is going to have.

I’m especially disappointed by Danny Kennedy’s comments. Serious consequences you say Danny? And for who? Why don’t you stop peddling pulp politics and give decent people the leadership they need instead of issuing dire threats. Who benefits from a stalled peace process? Not me. Nor any of the other people sitting at their desks today trying to scratch a living for their families.

A word of advice Danny. Stop trying to play DUP with the media. No-one can talk tougher than Paisley. But no-one can hoodwink and scaremonger like Paisley, either. You have an opportunity - which I urge you to expliot - to represent Northern Ireland properly. Fire and brimstone speeches are all very well, but they achieve absolutely nothing.