Gordon Lyons said,
“There are big questions to answer within the Sinn Fein leadership. Mary Lou McDonald’s comments are either another recognition of Sinn Fein’s partitionist approach, a deliberate criticism of Michelle O’Neill, or both.
In Northern Ireland Sinn Fein tell us “everyone has the right to commemorate” yet Mary Lou McDonald demanded the cancellation of a commemoration for those who served in the Royal Irish Constabulary.
The Sinn Fein President has suggested she would not attend an IRA commemoration if she had “the privilege of leading government” in the Republic but whilst ‘joint head of Government’ as she previously styled herself, Michelle O’Neill both attended and spoke at such events. Will Michelle O’Neill now be asked to apologise for proclaiming she “will always remember and commemorate our patriot dead" at an event commemorating 8 IRA terrorists?
Sinn Fein’s approach to IRA commemorations now seems similar to their approach to multi-million pound donations. Are they only accepted by, as Mary Lou McDonald previously described it, “the Sinn Fein party, registered in six counties, with the British Electoral Commission”?
The lack of consistency regarding commemorations is only outshone by the breathtaking arrogance shown towards innocent IRA victims.”