Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Does anyone seriously believe that the massacre of 14 unarmed civilians in Derry 50 years ago last weekend was merely down to rank-and-file soldiers losing control on the day? Three weeks before Bloody Sunday, Major General Robert Ford wrote: "I am coming to the conclusion that the minimum force necessary to achieve a restoration of law and order is to shoot selected ringleaders." The Tory Government in London, led by Edward Heath, did not remove Major General Ford from his position.

The prosecution of Soldier F may provide some form of justice and closure for the victims' families, as might prosecution of individual paramilitaries for heinous sectarian acts, such as those at Kingsmill and Loughinisland, for others. However, for genuine truth and justice to more fully prevail, investigation must be made into the role of those higher up the chain of command in the British state, such as General Mike Jackson, and those in leading roles in paramilitary organisations.

I have no confidence in the capacity of the State or sectarian politicians to subject their roles in the Troubles to real scrutiny. I do, however, have confidence in working class people to bring the truth to light. This could, for instance, take place through some form of wide-ranging inquiry into the Troubles made up of respected trade unionists, genuine community groups and human rights organisations.

When I addressed the House before Brexit, I warned there must be neither a land nor sea border post Brexit and that if there were either, there would be consequences, including the danger of an increase in sectarian tensions. We are beginning to see precisely such a scenario play out with regard to the sea border and I intend to return to this issue when I have a bit more time in the not-too-distant future.

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