Latest:

04:02 Cowell leads tributes to Houston
04:02 Cowell leads tributes to Houston
03:12 Carpet rolled out for Bafta awards
03:02 Carpet rolled out for Bafta awards
03:02 BAE hails battery breakthrough
03:02 End of bitter cold snap in sight
02:52 Nun sets herself on fire in China
01:32 Whitney Houston dies aged 48

Irish Minister ‘regrets’ representations for Real IRA chief

Monday, 19 January 2009

The Republic’s Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said he “regrets” his representations for a Real IRA chief if it upset relatives of the Omagh bomb victims.

Mr Ahern attempted to play down the substantial embarrassment over his letters on behalf of Michael McKevitt by claiming he was only passing on an email for a constituent.

But the opposition said Mr Ahern's actions were “ill-judged”.

Mr Ahern made the inquiries to his predecessor in the Department of Justice on behalf of the head of the dissident group responsible for the Omagh bombing almost five years ago. At the time, Mr Ahern was the Communications Minister.

But representatives of the Omagh Victims Group are said to be angered.

The minister does not feel he has to apologise but does regret if he upset families of Real IRA victims, a spokesman said.

Print
Text Size
- Normal
- Large
- Extra Large

collie should read his irish history............ireland was divided not by the british but by the irish people........griffth and collins to name but 2 signed a "treaty that divided" ireland. the irish government voted with a small majority in favour of this same treaty as did the irish people who again voted with a small majority to accept this signed treaty. griffith who by the way started a paper " the united irishman" in 1899 in which he advocated ireland maintain the ties with britain but have its own parliament in dublin(sound familiar ie.ulster)he also by the way started an organisation....think it was called sinn fein. ask gerry he will tell you. lmao

Posted by billy | 19.01.09, 23:36 GMT

Tom, how about an MBE, or OBE? Have auld Lizzie, give you the sword-to-shoulder treatment as you kneel before her?

Sound like a goer?!

Posted by mickey | 19.01.09, 16:31 GMT

Who pays your dole Collie?

Posted by J Bull | 19.01.09, 16:02 GMT

Tom
I can't believe you have any protestant friends if you agree so whole heartly with Collie, especially since he is so off the topic on this article.
Whatever the British Army/RUC or whoever did, its no excuse for killing innocent civilians.
He's clearly one of the "yeah-but-no-but" crowd who believe two wrongs make a right, and if you agree with so wholehearted maybe you could get the "Slave to a well worn Political Dogma" medal, and you can have it for free because you've been caught hook line and sinker!

Posted by Dave | 19.01.09, 14:50 GMT

Not sure Dave depends on what kind of a medal and how much you're looking for it?

Posted by Tom | 19.01.09, 13:52 GMT

cf - Collie's managaing to do that alone not Mickey! And it's 'had not have' not hadnt of - and again it's ' i see you're' not your! Your grammar is awful!

Posted by HAM | 19.01.09, 13:50 GMT

Collie was only stating the truth, if Britain hadnt of went agaisnt the majority of people wants and needs, there would have been many deaths saved.

mickey again i see your leaving your one-sided stories again, people like you are the ones that gave n.ireland a rep for hatred..

Posted by cf | 19.01.09, 13:22 GMT

As a N. Irish protestant who travels on an Irish passport I actually agree with Collie. It is a fact - the island should have never been split.

Posted by Ian | 19.01.09, 12:57 GMT

Do you want a medal Tom?

Posted by Dave | 19.01.09, 12:32 GMT

I live in a republican stronghold and I have lots of protestant friends and a passport which has been used extensively. I totally agree with Collie.

Posted by Tom | 19.01.09, 12:01 GMT

Are you serious collie? If the British pulled out of Northern Ireland, there would almost certainly be more violence. Enough blood has been spilt in Ulster, Ireland, Britain. It is quite clear that Northern Ireland is part of the U.K. IT is also quite clear that we are part of Ireland (i.e the Island). In this country we have Ulster-Scots and Ulster loyalists, we also have Ulster/Irish Gaels and Republicans, we also have many immigrants. Surely now we can get on and live in peace with people happy and proud of their gaelic and planter roots. After all we are all Ulstermen, we are all Irishmen, we are all Northern Irishmen and we are all British tax payers. So whats the big deal? we should be proud of all that.

Posted by Rob | 19.01.09, 11:55 GMT

Hey Collie, you need to widen your horizons.....I bet your the sort of person who lives i his little republican stronghold, wears a celtic top, has no protestant friends.....hey, you probably dont even have a passport! Grow up....it takes two to tango!

Posted by Gary | 19.01.09, 11:11 GMT

Collie, always someone else's fault isn't it? Never Republicans or Republican terror groups. It's the Brits fault the IRA maimed and killed men, women & children of all religions and none.....

As for who governs "ireland". I couldn't be sure, but isn't there a Dublin government which presides over Southern Ireland? NI also has its own devolved Government (which isn't without its flaws-but then few Govts are).

I hope this placates you.

Posted by mickey | 19.01.09, 09:54 GMT

Oh get over yourself C McDermott! Way to move on!! All that bitterness you feel must be ripping you apart!

Posted by HAM | 19.01.09, 09:49 GMT

The British should be the ones to apologize. They caused all the problems by arrogantly dividing Ireland in two against the wishes of the majority of the people. By doing so they discarded their responsibilities and passed on the search for a solution to future generations. The solution is simple: Britain leaves Ireland to rule itself.

Posted by Collie McDermott | 19.01.09, 09:23 GMT