Cllr Denise Mullen: Unionists Returning the Threat of Violence to Northern Politics
Speaking on mounting tensions in the North, Aontú Deputy Leader & Candidate for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Cllr Denise Mullen, has criticised Unionist Politicians ratcheting up the tensions and inciting violence for political gain.
Cllr Mullen: “This is a tried and tested tactic of extremist Unionist politicians, to enhance their electoral prospects. In only the last week, we have seen Foreign Minister Simon Coveney rushed off stage due to a bomb threat, after allegedly the UVF hijacked a van at gunpoint. UUP Leader Doug Beattie saw his constituency office attacked on Sunday. All the while, the UVF terrorist group have pledged to escalate their actions against Irish politicians in the run-up to the election. These are the latest actions in a series of flaring tensions to bolster extreme Unionist voters. Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley Jr have both suggested there would be violence if the Protocol endures. The offices of Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry MP, were vandalised with graffiti saying ‘RIP GFA.’ We have seen racist graffiti making death threats to the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar saying ‘My Ode to Leo Varadkar: We have a Noose, We have a Tree.’ The long list goes on.”
“These are the tactics of politicians who cannot let go of Orange supremacy, and accept nationalists having a voice in the public square. All of these threats and actions are designed to maximise their electoral gain, and to oppose a legal framework for the Brexit they voted for. The DUP/TUV must abandon their courtship of paramilitary violence and their ‘at all costs’ opposition to the Protocol negotiated to facilitate their Brexit.”
