Uncomfortable Conversations: (l-r – Alan McBride, Chief Constable George Hamilton, Declan Kearney and Patricia McBride
THE PSNI Chief Constable told a debate in Derry last night that he believes the Sinn Fein leadership is committed to peace.
George Hamilton was speaking at a debate entitled ‘Unconfortable Conversations’ held in Clooney Hall in the Waterside and organised by Gasyard Feile.
The panel also included Sinn Fein national chairperson Declan Kearney, former victim’s commissioner Patricia McBride and victims campaigner Alan McBride.
The event was the first time Mr Hamilton had shared a public platform with Sinn Féin since his statement last Saturday that the Provisional IRA still existed and that some members were involved in the Belfast murder of Kevin McGuigan just over a fortnight ago.
The top cop’s comments caused a political storm saying the Provisional IRA leadership still existed, a claim rejected by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams who said the “IRA has gone away and is not coming back”.
During the same debate, Sinn Fein’s Declan Kearney said he was sorry for all the lives lost during the Troubles.
Declan Kearney said he acknowledged “without exception” the loss and pain of the Troubles and regretted that it could not be undone.
George Hamilton said he does not doubt Sinn Féin’s commitment to peace.
“My trust in Sinn Fein is why I do business with them”.
Mr Kearney said he felt regret for all the families of victims of the Troubles, but added that there was no hierarchy of victims.
“I am sorry for the pain experienced by the RUC family during the war, the suffering caused to the unionist section of our community, the human tragedy of the Shankill bomb being one instance of that,” he said.
Audience listens intently to debate in Clooney Hall
“And equally for the pain of IRA volunteers killed in this command area here in Derry and elsewhere.”
Following the debate, Mr Hamilton said that while he did not agree on everything with republicans he did recognise the Sinn Féin’s leadership’s support for the peace process.
“Our experience over the last 10 years does not point us towards the senior leadership of Sinn Féin being involved in authorising or sanctioning serious criminal acts or any criminal activity.
“If that changes, we will say so – simple as that.”
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