Taoiseach has failed to agree to meet with victims of the Glenanne gang

Taoiseach has failed to agree to meet with victims of the Glenanne gang - Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has commented on that Leo Varadkar's failure to agree to a meeting with the victims of the loyalist-RUC-British Army Glenanne gang.

Deputy Tóibín stated:

"I have twice asked Leo Varadkar as the Taoiseach to meet with the victims of the UVF's notorious Glenanne gang.

"He has failed to agree to meet with the victims and their families. Previously, I sought a meeting on behalf of the Glenanne gang victims with Enda Kenny when he was Taoiseach. Likewise, he failed to respond positively to my request for a meeting.

"The Glenanne gang murdered 120 people throughout the 1970s, mainly in Armagh and Tyrone. It is widely accepted that the gang, which included members of the RUC police and British army, was also responsible for the Dublin-Monaghan bombings which killed 34 people in 1974.

"The Glenanne gang acted with impunity, inflicting death and destruction in collusion with forces of the British state. In fact, the extent of efforts to cover-up the British state's connection to the gang are only coming to light in recent times. To this day, files held by the British government on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings remain under lock-and-key on so-called "national security" grounds.

The Irish government should insist that the British government brings the content of those files and all other files relating to the deadly activities of the Glenanne gang into the light of day.

"It is crucial that the Irish government meets with the many victims of the gang and their families. It is essential that the state takes seriously its responsibility to pursue truth and justice for the people who were killed or maimed and their families. Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen is among the many people whose loved ones were murdered by the gang. She lost her father to Glenanne gang gunmen in 1975.

"It is incredible the the Irish government have dragged their heels in terms of engaging with the victims and their families. It is time for them to fulfil their most basic duty to these citizens."

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The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.