Ian Acheson
Already a subscriber? Log in
Several days of outrage from victims of IRA terrorism followed the release of the carol singing video. Ann Travers, whose sister was murdered by the IRA in 1984 as she walked home from church, described the video as ‘sick‘. Finally, the unfortunately named ‘Ferry Clever’ – the card company whose video Adams appeared in – has seen sense. In a statement, it said:
‘Whilst our business is based around satirical comedy, it was never our intention to offend anyone.’
Apart from anything else, this hardly sounds like a business model that will get them through Christmas. But what about Adams? Will he apologise for appearing in this video? It seems unlikely.
Adams has been retired from Sinn Fein’s leadership for three years but he still retains his honorary title of narcissist-in-chief. That must cause the current notional co-leadership of Michelle O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald no end of a headache as they struggle to divest the party from the whiff of cordite.
They have their work cut out in their attempt to move the party on from its fetid past. The old guard in the IRA Army council is widely thought to be still calling the shots. Drew Harris, commissioner of the Republic of Ireland’s police, said as much in 2020 when he agreed with his Northern counterparts that the party remains overseen by the council. Sinn Fein has dismissed such claims as ‘nonsense’, but is anyone fooled?
Here is a party, after all, that once appointed a convicted IRA terrorist as it’s first ‘Unionist outreach officer.’ This is a party which commemorates IRA hunger strikers but which turns a blind eye to the victims of the IRA’s bombs. It reveals either the blackest sense of humour at best or, as with Adams’ latest antics, a depraved indifference to the suffering caused by 30 years of futile sectarian insurgency.
While Adams probably doesn’t regret his appearance in this video, it looks like political expediency will this time win over the routine sullen defiance this crass insensitivity usually elicits from the party faithful. The number of senior Shinners sent out to gently deplore Adams’ behaviour now just exceeds those who take the traditional line that it was all just a bit of laugh.
If the polls are right, Sinn Fein is within sight of government in the Republic. Victory depends on bringing a few more per cent of voters onside. Adams has switched from being the path to victory to a bump in the road. Sinn Fein’s old uncle Gerry is about to be boarded back into the Connolly House attic.
There is some suggestion that McDonald could soon issue an apology for past IRA atrocities. This is something Sinn Fein, their steadfast cheerleaders through the IRA’s years of filling graves, has never done without a skip full of caveats. Whether this will be cynical electioneering or the first welcome signs of democratic maturity remains to be seen. In the meantime, at least, the party’s over for Ireland’s bearded bleak Santa.
Because you read about gerry adams
Also by Ian Acheson
Latest
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in