Statement by TUV Fermanagh and South Tyrone Assembly candidate Donald Crawford:
“The comments at the weekend of convicted IRA terrorist Sean Lynch in Pettigo remind us of the true nature of Republicanism. They remain wedded to violence and not just justify but glory in the wicked actions of the IRA.
“Lynch clearly has no sense of irony when he can claim that “the British empire was built on oppression, discrimination, torture and death” in a county which suffered so much as a result of the IRA campaign.
“Oppression, discrimination, torture and death where the hall marks of the Provos in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I think of the Poppy Day massacre, of UDR men I served alongside who where murdered while off duty and Protestant farmers who died at the hands of the PIRA simply because of their faith.
“As is usual with Sinn Fein/IRA representatives in this area Lynch glorified Bobby Sands – a fellow terrorist whose election as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone caused divisions between the communities of this area which survive to the present day.
“In the election in a few weeks Unionists in Fermanagh and South Tyrone will have their chance to reject not just the policies of Lynch but those of the parties which have elevated Republicans like him to the heart of government while they continue to glory in IRA violence. TUV, and TUV alone, opposes Sinn Fein/IRA not just at election time but 24/7.”