Time to relegate the Troubles to history

Sir — In last week’s Sunday

Independent, Eoghan Harris offers what could be described as an apology for the DUP’s Brexit stance.

He cites the “ruthless and cynical IRA campaign” and, using the words “butcher our fathers and brothers”, alludes to the horrors experienced by Arlene Foster. He proffers such past events as a justification for the DUP’s stance on Brexit.

However, the Good Friday Agreement was constructed to draw a line under the combined horrors of the Troubles.

Difficult as it would be for victims and certain protagonists, the GFA was agreed to provide a new beginning.

The Republic dropped its constitutional claim to the

Six Counties. Of even more significance was the guarantee requiring “majority consent” of the people of NI for any constitutional change.

As this remarkable agreement was achieved in the light of EU membership, Brexit therefore is understandably viewed as presenting a serious and unwelcome challenge to that agreement at every level.

Thankfully, a majority in NI voted Remain but in spite of this the DUP insists on pursuing what could only be described as a hard Brexit stance.

The almost-continual presence of the DUP at Westminster, unlike Sinn Fein, is bound to attract extra close scrutiny for that party.

It is in light of the above that most reasonable people view the DUP as being prisoners of history, attributing a visceral disdain for nationalist Ireland and the Troubles as the primary motivation for their stance.

It is worth noting that Arlene Foster and Jeffrey Donaldson, favourably described “as willing to reach out” by Eoghan Harris, deserted David Trimble’s UUP in their opposition to the GFA.

Surely, is it not time, therefore, for the Troubles to be relegated to history, thus ensuring that all political and policy decisions are made with the future only in mind?

Mick O’Brien,

Springmount, Kilkenny