Statement by TUV Comber councillor Stephen Cooper:
“The comments of Sinn Fein/IRA MLA Phil Flanagan in this week’s Impartial Reporter should leave no one in any doubt as to the undisguised evil of the Republican movement. The IRA and ISIS are clearly viewed by Sinn Fein as brothers in arms.
“Flanagan is quoted as saying:
“I am not comfortable with the approach by the British establishment and other countries involved in invasion and colonial activities in the past in labelling organisations terrorists,” he said, adding that this term, “demonised organisations”.
“129 people are dead as a result of terrorist attacks less than a week ago. Terrorist attacks of unparalleled slaughter in Europe. And what is the response of Sinn Fein/IRA? To question if ISIS is a terrorist organisation!
“The only difference in this atrocity and those carried out by the IRA is one of scale.
“Thankfully, the security forces in Northern Ireland stood between the cowardly IRA campaign of slaughter and barbaric bombings and saved many lives, much to the disappointment of the republican movement.
“Of course, on one level we shouldn’t be surprised that a party which takes directions from a still armed and active IRA would take such a view. It is nonetheless shocking that Flanagan is so brazen about the issue.
“He talks about “invasion and colonial activities”. One wonders what those who have been driven from their homes and lost loved ones at the hands of ISIS would make of his comments!
“Perhaps Flanagan sees those actions as no different from the actions of the IRA in South Fermanagh where they engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Protestant and Unionist population?
“Anyone who argues that Sinn Fein/IRA have changed from the brutal terrorist organisation which visited death and destruction on this Province have been given a rude awakening with Flanagan’s disgraceful comments.
“Those Unionists who just this week renewed their vows with Flanagan’s party in government need to take a long hard look at themselves. Thankfully the Unionist electorate will soon have the opportunity to pass their verdict.”
Note to editors
You can read Flanagan’s comments here .