IRA had no alternative to violence, says Sinn Fein chief

TERRORISM victims and political leaders have criticised Northern Ireland’s first minister designate after she said there was “no alternative” to the IRA’S armed campaign during the Troubles.

Michelle O’neill, the former deputy first minister and vice-president of Sinn Fein, said the IRA had no choice but to wage its terror campaign until the Good Friday Agreement.

The comments were criticised in Northern Ireland, where in May the former political wing of the IRA became the largest party for the first time.

Ms O’neill, who has promised to be a “first minister for all”, said in an interview with the BBC: “I don’t think any Irish person ever woke up one morning and thought that conflict was a good idea, but the war came to Ireland.

“I think at the time there was no alternative, but now, thankfully, we have an alternative to conflict and that’s the Good Friday Agreement.”

Colin Worton, whose brother was murdered by IRA, told the Belfast Telegraph: “For 30 years, the IRA was wedded to the bomb and the bullet, and Sinn Fein is still trying to justify it. I don’t think they’ll ever change.”

George Larmour, whose brother was shot by the terrorists, said Ms O’neill’s comments were a “cruel and flippant response and callous excuse for the hurt, pain and grief that was inflicted on innocent families”.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the DUP, said: “There was never a justification for violence. Even in Northern Ireland’s darkest days the overwhelming majority of our people respected democracy, the rule of law and – where they felt passionately about a particular cause – took part in peaceful protest. Sinn Fein can pretend there was no alternative but they are condemned by the facts.”

The DUP has refused to enter a power sharing agreement that would make Ms O’neill the first minister until London removes or replaces the Protocol.