dealing with the past. Northern Ireland

After the Adams arrest there is a way through, you know

Brian Walker on May 5, 2014, 11:07 am

| Readers 67

The IRA is gone, it’s finished.” I want to make it clear that I support the PSNI.” My reading of Gerry Adams’ statement on his release with his anger only just held in check, is that he wants to limit the damage while capitalising on the circumstances. Snap reactions are notoriously unreliable. But the events of the last four days have allowed the rest of us to speculate on what might have happened if he had been charged. Most people’s thoughts I …

Dealing with the Past. The lawyers must join John Larkin in speaking out

Brian Walker on November 21, 2013, 2:58 pm

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The first thing to remember about John Larkin is that he’s an advocate. Barristers make ingenious cases whether they believe in them or not. In 2002, he was the Peter Robinson’s counsel before the law lords arguing – unsuccessfully as it happens – that the election of the FMDFM was legally invalid after the Alliance party temporarily changed designation and arguably saved the Assembly and perhaps the Agreement. It was a good thing that Larkin lost and he might well …

The DUP’s approach to dealing with the past rolls back the GFA

Brian Walker on October 24, 2013, 10:52 pm

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Yesterday’s opposition day debate in the Commons on Dealing With The Past initiated by the DUP was attended by only just enough GB MPs – about 20-odd – to make up the quorum of 40. Have a browse in Hansard to get the full flavour if you’re feeling strong enough. Sinn Fein’s absence is a pity. In parliament a real debate is better than sermonising. If they were present there would be a lot more authentic flavour and less of the sound …