Speaking after raising the issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Campbell said:
“Sinn Féin’s continued glorification of PIRA terrorists is deeply damaging and undermines efforts to build a shared future.
Such actions perpetuate division, foster mistrust between communities, and hinder reconciliation at a time when we should be focused on healing past wounds.
Just before Christmas, the First Minister of Northern Ireland attended a commemoration event for IRA men who were killed by their own bomb. Those men should not be deemed either as innocent or heroes. They were intent on murdering innocent men, women and children. They should be remembered as such.
This behaviour dishonours the memory of innocent victims, retraumatises survivors, and sends a dangerous message to future generations, suggesting that violence is a legitimate path to political ends. We should be promoting respect for the rule of law and democratic engagement, not celebrating those responsible for violence.
There is no place for the glorification of terrorism in a society committed to lasting peace.”