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BELFAST, Noord-Ierland >> Het grootste deel van haar leven heeft Helen McKendry geëist dat Sinn Fein-chef Gerry Adams openheid zou geven over zijn vermeende leidende rol in het Ierse Republikeinse leger – en over de ontvoering, moord en geheime begrafenis van haar moeder door de verboden groep in 1972.
Terwijl Adams voor de tweede dag wordt ondervraagd door rechercheurs over de onopgeloste misdaad, vreest McKendry dat haar dag van gerechtigheid nooit zal komen. Ze was een van de 10 kinderen die wees waren geworden door de moord op haar 37-jarige moeder, een weduwe.
"Ik hoop tegen beter weten in dat hij niet vrij rondloopt", zei McKendry tegen The Associated Press. "Iedereen, de honden in de straat, wist dat hij op dat moment de beste IRA-man in Belfast was."
Noord-Ierland heeft het nieuws over de arrestatie van Adams ontvangen met een mengeling van wereldmoe berusting en cynisme. De fans en vijanden van Adams zijn het hier over eens: hij is een te belangrijke figuur in het vredesproces om naar de gevangenis te gaan, en hij zal nooit eerlijk praten over zijn vroegere commandoposities in de Provisional IRA. Het ondergrondse leger doodde bijna 1.800 mensen – waaronder tientallen katholieke burgers en IRA-leden die spionnen en informanten werden genoemd – voordat het in 1997 een staakt-het-vuren afkondigde zodat Sinn Fein vrede kon nastreven met de protestantse meerderheid van Groot-Brittannië en Noord-Ierland.
McKendry lanceerde samen met haar man Seamus in 1995 een vaak eenzame protestcampagne tegen Adams 'ontkenning van IRA-betrokkenheid bij de moord op haar moeder. Donderdag zei de 56-jarige dat ze het moeilijk kon geloven dat hij eindelijk in hechtenis was en geconfronteerd werd met politievragen.
Volgens de Britse antiterreurwet moet de 65-jarige Adams vrijdagavond worden aangeklaagd of vrijgelaten, tenzij de politie een gerechtelijke verlenging van zijn verhoor vraagt.
Twintig jaar geleden drong Adams aanvankelijk tijdens zijn eerste korte persoonlijke ontmoetingen met de McKendrys erop aan dat de IRA er niet bij betrokken was. Uiteindelijk erkende de IRA in 1999, onder druk van het Witte Huis, de verantwoordelijkheid voor de moord op Jean McConville en bood aan haar ongemarkeerde graf te lokaliseren op een strand 100 kilometer ten zuiden van Belfast in de Republiek Ierland. Die poging mislukte ondanks uitgebreid graafwerk. Toen, in 2003, stuitte een hondenuitlater op haar skeletresten, met zijn door kogels verbrijzelde schedel, die uit een klif boven een ander strand stak.
Dat was de bitterste overwinning voor de McConville-kinderen, wier leven onuitwisbaar getekend was door haar verdwijning. Ze waren toen tussen de 6 en 17 jaar oud; McKendry was 15. Aangezien hun vader al in 1971 aan kanker was overleden, plaatsten de autoriteiten hen in verschillende pleeggezinnen, zodat de kinderen opgroeiden als vreemden voor elkaar.
Sommige kinderen werden zelf IRA-aanhangers en geloofden dat de IRA hun moeder voorstelde als een verkenner van het Britse leger gewapend met een walkietalkie die waarnemingen van IRA-schutters in haar buurt doorgaf. Die bewering van de IRA werd in diskrediet gebracht in een onderzoek uit 2006 door de onafhankelijke klachtenwaakhond van de politie van Noord-Ierland.
Sommigen waren opgelucht dat ze eindelijk een moeder hadden om te begraven.
Maar McKendry is blijven aandringen om de IRA-leden die naar verluidt achter de verdwijning van haar moeder zaten, veroordeeld te krijgen voor moord, met name Adams, die volgens voormalige IRA-leden het bevel voerde over de eenheid die verantwoordelijk was voor het laten verdwijnen van gerichte Belfast-burgers in de vroege jaren zeventig.
Als strafrechtelijke vervolging mislukt, is ze van plan Adams aan te klagen voor civiele schade.
“Ik kon het einde van mijn leven niet bereiken zonder te weten wat er met mijn moeder is gebeurd. Ik moest een standpunt innemen, om de wereld te vertellen wat er is gebeurd, 'zei ze. 'Maar Adams zal nooit iets toegeven. Hij zal zelfs nooit toegeven dat hij bij de IRA zat.'
Het politieonderzoek naar Adams lijkt, althans gedeeltelijk, gebaseerd te zijn op geluidsbanden van verschillende IRA-veteranen die hun paramilitaire loopbaan bespraken in een geschiedenisproject in opdracht van Boston College. De opgenomen interviews zouden tot hun dood geheim blijven, maar de Noord-Ierse politie heeft met succes een rechtszaak aangespannen bij Amerikaanse rechtbanken om alle banden te verkrijgen die de moord op McConville vermelden. De inhoud van één tape is al gepubliceerd omdat de betrokken IRA-man, Brendan Hughes, is overleden – en in zijn verslag beschuldigde hij Adams ervan opdracht te hebben gegeven tot de moord op McConville en de geheime begrafenis.
De arrestatie van Adams heeft de verontrustende breuklijn blootgelegd die door het vredesproces in Noord-Ierland loopt: Ierse katholieken en Britse protestanten zouden zich na bijna 45 jaar van bloedvergieten moeten verenigen onder één machtsdelende regering, maar er blijft een kloof van wantrouwen bestaan.
Sinn Fein, de grootste door Ierland gesteunde partij in Noord-Ierland, heeft protestantse leiders ervan beschuldigd de politie onder druk te hebben gezet om Adams nu te arresteren om Sinn Fein te ondermijnen vóór de verkiezingen in heel Ierland deze maand.
Plaatsvervangend eerste minister Martin McGuinness, een voormalige IRA-commandant en de senior Sinn Fein-figuur in de 7-jarige coalitieregering van Noord-Ierland, beschuldigde wat hij noemde "de donkere kant van politiewerk" voor het nastreven van een anti-Adams-agenda.
Maar eerste minister Peter Robinson, de protestant die samen met McGuinness de regering van Noord-Ierland leidt, noemde de arrestatie van Adams een achterstallige daad van politieke verantwoording. Hij stelde voor dat McGuinness hetzelfde strafrechtelijke onderzoek zou moeten ondergaan.
'Ik kan niet zeggen of meneer Adams zal worden aangeklaagd of vrijgelaten; of hij voor een nieuwe periode zal worden vastgehouden, of hij, zelfs als hij wordt aangeklaagd, zal worden veroordeeld”, zei Robinson. "Wat ik kan zeggen is dat het ons politieke proces in Noord-Ierland versterkt dat mensen weten dat niemand boven de wet staat."
Robinson deed een beroep op de kinderen van McConville om de politie de identiteit te vertellen van de IRA-leden die vlak voor Kerstmis 1972 hun huis in het sociale woningbouwproject Divis Flats binnenstormden. Hij zei dat Sinn Fein hen zou moeten aanmoedigen om naar voren te komen, vrij van angst voor IRA-vergelding.
McKendry was het huis uit toen de IRA haar moeder ontvoerde.
“Ik wou dat ik daar was geweest en ze had gezien. Ik zou de politie vertellen wat ik weet, 'zei ze, erop wijzend dat dit niet de populaire mening zou zijn onder haar vervreemde broers en zussen.
Haar jongere broer Michael, die toen 11 was, herinnerde zich dat schreeuwende kinderen zich aan de benen van hun moeder vastklampten terwijl IRA-leden haar huilend en huilend van angst de deur uit trokken.
Hij zei dat ontmaskerde IRA-leden de kinderen kalmeerden door ze elk bij hun voornaam te noemen en een van zijn oudere broers vroeg om met hun moeder naar buiten te komen. Eenmaal bij het trappenhuis, zei hij, stak een IRA-lid een pistool tegen het hoofd van die jongen en zei hem te verdwalen.
Tot op de dag van vandaag, zei Michael McConville, ziet hij enkele van deze IRA-veteranen over straat lopen in Belfast. En tot op de dag van vandaag is hij bang om tegen hen te getuigen.
“Ik ken de namen van de mensen. Ik zou het niet aan de politie vertellen', zei hij donderdag tegen AP in een slachtofferhulpcentrum in Belfast. “Ik kende degenen die geen maskers op hadden, het waren buren uit de buurt. Mijn oudere broer Archie herkende er waarschijnlijk meer van. Mijn oudere zus Agnes herkende er waarschijnlijk ook meer van. Maar iedereen vertelt je dat de IRA is verdwenen. Dat hebben ze niet. Het zijn nog steeds onze buren en we zijn nog steeds bang voor ze.”
Toen hem werd gevraagd of hij een Sinn Fein-garantie zou accepteren dat geen enkel IRA-lid hem, zijn vrouw of zijn kinderen zou neerschieten, zei hij dat hij ze niet kon vertrouwen.
“Er zijn verschillende manieren om mensen te vermoorden. Je zou de weg kunnen oversteken en worden aangereden, 'zei hij. 'Ze waren niet verantwoordelijk toen ze mijn moeder vermoordden. Ze kunnen mij of een van mijn dierbaren vermoorden en het nooit meer toegeven.”
FAQs
Is Sinn Féin the IRA? ›
The Continuity IRA emerged as the paramilitary wing of Republican Sinn Féin. The 32 County Sovereignty Movement split from Sinn Féin in response to engagement in the Peace Talks, with the Real IRA as their paramilitary wing. Democratic Left merged with the Labour Party.
Who was the leader of the provisional IRA? ›Chiefs of Staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (1969–2005) May 2008 (?) a. Some noted Irish and British historians, including Ed Moloney, author of A Secret History of the IRA, have claimed that Gerry Adams has been part of the IRA leadership.
Who founded the IRA? ›The pro-treaty faction of Sinn Féin led by Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins shortly thereafter formed itself into the Cumann na nGaedheal party under W. T. Cosgrave. With additional recruits, its military supporters became the National Army, later known as the Irish Defence Forces.
Does the IRA still exist? ›Several splinter groups have been formed as a result of splits within the IRA, including the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA, both of which are still active in the dissident Irish republican campaign.
What is the IRA motto? ›Tiocfaidh ár lá (Irish pronunciation: [ˈtʲʊkiː aːɾˠ ˈl̪ˠaː]) is an Irish language sentence which translates as "our day will come". It is a slogan of Irish Republicanism. "Our day" is the date hoped for by Irish nationalists on which a united Ireland is achieved.
Is Sinn Fein Catholic or Protestant? ›Republic of Ireland
Martin Mansergh, a member of the Church of Ireland, has been influential in formulating Fianna Fáil's policy on Northern Ireland since the peace process began in the 1990s. Sinn Féin TD for Clare Violet-Anne Wynne is Protestant.
The Provisional IRA called off its 1994 ceasefire on 9 February 1996 because of its dissatisfaction with the state of negotiations. They signaled the end of the ceasefire by detonating a truck bomb at Canary Wharf in London, which caused the deaths of two civilians and massive damage to property.
What ended the Irish troubles? ›The conflict began in the late 1960s and is usually deemed to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Although the Troubles mostly took place in Northern Ireland, at times violence spilled over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and mainland Europe.
Did the IRA target civilians? ›In borderland areas the IRA sought to push back the Protestant community in order to create buffer zones from which they would then have mounted attacks on more inland targets.” According to the reference work Lost Lives, over 36% of the 1,778 lives claimed by the IRA were civilians.
What religion do the IRA follow? ›The Troubles
This led to violence with the involvement of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on the Catholic side and the Ulster Defence Force (UDF) on the Protestant side.
Why are the Irish called Fenians? ›
The name originated with the Fianna of Irish mythology—groups of legendary warrior-bands associated with Fionn mac Cumhail. Mythological tales of the Fianna became known as the Fenian Cycle.
Why didn t the IRA bomb Scotland? ›Experts believe a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) veto on bombing operations in Scotland prevented the situation from escalating because the country was a center of IRA support in terms of fundraising, safe houses, and gun-running.
Is Derry safe to visit? ›Yes. Northern Ireland has the second lowest crime rate in Europe. Even during the years of civil unrest tourists were rarely directly affected.
Is Belfast safe for an English person? ›Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, which is considered to be the safest region of the United Kingdom – much safer than Scotland, England and Wales. It is a beautiful city but is often overlooked due to its troubled history.
Is it safe to travel to Northern Ireland? ›There are no restrictions or testing requirements if you're travelling from one region to another within the CTA (UK, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland). This includes travelling to Northern Ireland via the Republic of Ireland from overseas.
What is the most famous Irish saying? ›What is the most famous Irish blessing? “May the road rise up to meet you” is one of the most famous Irish blessings.
Did the IRA have a flag? ›After the Rising, during the Irish War of Independence between 1919 and 1921, the new Irish flag was adopted by the IRA. It was also used as a symbol of the Irish Free State between 1922 and 1937.
What is the IRA flag with stars? ›The Starry Plough banner (Irish: An Camchéachta – the bent plough) is a flag which was originally used by the Irish Citizen Army, a socialist Irish republican movement, and subsequently adopted by other Irish political organizations.
Which Irish side is Catholic? ›Ireland is split between the Republic of Ireland (predominantly Catholic) and Northern Ireland (predominantly Protestant).
Are Irish Catholic or Catholic Irish? ›Irish Catholics (Irish: Caitlicigh na hÉireann) are an ethnoreligious group native to Ireland whose members are both Catholic and Irish. They have a large diaspora, which includes over 36 million American citizens and over 14 million British citizens (a quarter of the British population).
Are the Irish still Catholic? ›
Irish Christianity is dominated by the Catholic Church, and Christianity as a whole accounts for 82.3% of the Irish population. Most churches are organized on an all-Ireland basis which includes both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Why did Northern Ireland split from Ireland? ›The Irish Unionist Alliance had been formed to oppose home rule, and the Bill sparked mass unionist protests. In response, Liberal Unionist leader Joseph Chamberlain called for a separate provincial government for Ulster where Protestant unionists were a majority.
What was the worst atrocities of the Troubles? ›Dublin and Monaghan bombings – the UVF exploded four bombs (three in Dublin, one in Monaghan) in the Republic of Ireland. They killed thirty-three civilians and wounded a further 300. This was the highest number of casualties in a single incident during "The Troubles".
Why did Ireland split? ›When Northern Ireland was formed in 1920, it was decided, partly because of where Catholic and Protestant populations lived, to only include six of the nine counties of Ulster within the new state. Thus, the remaining three counties eventually formed part of the Irish Free State.
How many Irish were killed during the Troubles? ›The conflict in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century is known as the Troubles. Over 3,600 people were killed and thousands more injured. During a period of 30 years, many acts of violence were carried out by paramilitaries and the security forces.
Why did England invade Ireland? ›In 1155, the only ever English pope, Adrian IV, issued a papal 'bull' entitled Laudabiliter. According to subsequent accounts sympathetic to Henry, the bull gave the English king the right to invade and rule Ireland – and sought to enforce Roman church norms on Ireland's semi-autonomous Gaelic church.
What triggered the Irish Civil War? ›The conflict was waged between two opposing groups of Irish nationalists: the forces of the new Irish Free State, who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty under which the state was established, and the republican opposition, for whom the Treaty represented a betrayal of the Irish Republic.
Where did the IRA get their guns? ›The two main sources of weaponry for the IRA have been the USA and Libya. The main gun-running network in the USA was controlled by a veteran Irish Republican called George Harrison.
Where did the IRA get their money? ›According to the police in Northern Ireland, the main sources of the Real IRA's funding are illegal fuel operations and various smuggling activities. Illicit cigarettes were also said to be a significant source of income for the group.
How many British soldiers died in Northern Ireland? ›Around 1,400 British military personnel died during the deployment. Of these, half were killed by paramilitaries and half died from other causes.
Can Muslims have an IRA? ›
You can open an IRA with a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, or a bank. After opening the account and adding money to it, you can choose exactly where to invest the money. This is great for Muslims and others who want to invest in an ethical manner since the investor can choose where his/her money is invested.
What religion were the Irish before Christianity? ›Ancient Celtic religion, commonly known as Celtic paganism, was the religion of the ancient Celtic peoples of Europe.
What do Irish Catholics believe? ›As a branch of Christianity, Catholicism emphasises the doctrine of God as the 'Holy Trinity' (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Many Irish accept the authority of the priesthood and the Roman Catholic Church, which is led by the Pope. According to legend, St. Patrick brought Christianity to the country in 432 CE.
Is Belfast mostly Catholic? ›...
List of districts in Northern Ireland by religion or religion brought up in.
| District | Belfast |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 48.7% |
| Protestant and other Christian | 36.4% |
| Other | 11.6% |
Taig, and (primarily formerly) also Teague, are anglicisations of the Irish-language male given name Tadhg, used as ethnic slurs for a stage Irishman. Taig in Northern Ireland is most commonly used as a derogatory term by loyalists to refer to Irish Catholics.
What did the Irish call Britain? ›The name "West European Isles" is one translation of the islands' name in the Gaelic languages of Irish and Manx, with equivalent terms for "British Isle". In Irish, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór (literally "Ireland and Great Britain") is the more common term.
What was the IRA worst defeat? ›...
| Loughgall ambush | |
|---|---|
| 8 in attacking unit 4 in support | 24 SAS soldiers 1 RUC uniformed officer 2 RUC HMSU officers |
| Casualties and losses | |
Why Was Scotland Bombed? The German air force, called the Luftwaffe, dropped bombs to damage and destroy industrial areas. Scotland had coalmines, factories and shipyards, which were very important to the war effort. On the night of 21st April 1943, between 40 and 50 bombers flew over Aberdeen.
How many murders did the IRA commit? ›It was estimated that, between 1969 and 1994, the IRA killed about 1,800 people, including approximately 600 civilians.
Is Ireland safe for American tourists? ›Ireland is a safe and welcoming place to travel. But, wherever you visit, it always pays to know your rights, what to expect and what the local might expect of you, too. Use this page to find out about the laws, customs and quirks of the Emerald Isle, as well as some basic tips for first-time visitors.
Is Derry Ireland mostly Catholic? ›
Although Derry was originally an almost exclusively Protestant city, it has become increasingly Catholic over recent centuries.
What is the Catholic side of Derry? ›The Waterside is a mainly Protestant and unionist area, while the rest of Derry City is mainly Irish Catholic and nationalist.
How long can an American stay in Belfast? ›Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements
U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days.
While it may be quieter than some major cities in the UK, it's generally a safe place to walk at night, even in small groups. You should be cautious when travelling to any city destination, but Belfast is no cause for concern!
Do people in Belfast speak English? ›English is by far the most spoken, and the "de facto" official, language in Northern Ireland,; it occurs in various forms, including Ulster English and Hiberno-English.
Is Northern Ireland safe for Americans? ›Northern Ireland is extremely safe for tourists to visit. In fact, it has one of the lowest crime rates among industrialised countries. According to statistics from the U.N. International Crime Victimisation Survey, Northern Ireland has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Are English people welcome in Northern Ireland? ›Are English tourists welcome in Northern Ireland? In general, yes. The majority of people in Northern Ireland will be welcoming to tourists from across the UK.
Is Northern Ireland more Catholic or Protestant? ›Sinn Féin, currently the biggest of the nationalist parties in Northern Ireland, has campaigned for a broadening of the franchise of Northern Ireland voters to allow them to vote in elections to choose the President of Ireland.
Is Sinn Fein the biggest party in Republic of Ireland? ›Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin is the joint largest party in the Dáil and the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The name Sinn Féin, meaning "ourselves" or "we ourselves", has been used by a number of political organisations in Ireland since 1905, when first used by Arthur Griffith.
What is the right wing party in Ireland? ›
The National Party (Irish: An Páirtí Náisiúnta) is a minor far-right nationalist political party in Ireland.
What is the National Party of Northern Ireland? ›The Nationalist Party (Irish: An Páirtí Náisiúnach) was the continuation of the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), and was formed after the partition of Ireland, by the Northern Ireland-based members of the IPP.
What religion are Loyalists in Ireland? ›History. The term loyalist was first used in Irish politics in the 1790s to refer to Protestants who opposed Catholic Emancipation and Irish independence from Great Britain. Ulster loyalism emerged in the late 19th century, in response to the Irish Home Rule movement and the rise of Irish nationalism.
Who is the biggest party in Northern Ireland? ›Sinn Féin has become the biggest party in Northern Ireland local government after stunning gains in council elections. It swept past the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) and became the first nationalist party to hold the most council seats, delivering a political and psychological blow to unionism.
Was Gerry Adams in the IRA? ›Adams has stated repeatedly that he has never been a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). However, journalists such as Ed Moloney, Peter Taylor and Mark Urban, and historian Richard English have all named Adams as part of the IRA leadership since the 1970s.
Are Sinn Féin popular in Ireland? ›Sinn Fein remains the most popular party with voters in the Republic of Ireland but their support has dropped by three points, according to a new poll. The latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll shows the party retains a 13-point lead at 34% ahead of Fine Gael at 21% while Fianna Fail sits at 17%.
Is Ireland a Republican? ›Ireland formally described itself as a republic with the passage of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948. That same year (1948), the republican movement took the decision to focus on Northern Ireland thereafter.
Is the Liberal party a right wing party? ›As of 2021, the Liberal Party currently consists of three broad factional groupings: a moderate wing, a centre-right wing and a right wing, led by Simon Birmingham, Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton respectively.
Is there a Liberal party in Ireland? ›The party was formed on 16 November 1967 and was supported by members of the Ulster Liberal Party, particularly its leader Albert McElroy and Sheelagh Murnaghan, an MP for the Party in Northern Ireland at the time. Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus was amongst those in attendance of its inaugural meeting.
What do Republicans call Northern Ireland? ›The Six Counties is another popular name among republicans, as it can portray the region as a mere collection of Irish counties, rather than a legal political entity.
Is Northern Ireland still religious? ›
Current religion – Census 2021
Catholic (42.3%); • Presbyterian Church in Ireland (16.6%); • Church of Ireland (11.5%); • Methodist (2.4%); • Other Christian denominations (6.9%); and • Other non-Christian Religions (1.3%).
Devolution means that the United Kingdom government has transferred a wide range of powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. This means that local politicians, instead of MPs in Westminster, make key decisions on how Northern Ireland is governed. Some powers still lie with the UK government.