IRA Apologises For 30 Years of Civilian Deaths
Statement may give new hope for peace process

July 16, 2002 

The Irish Republican Army on Tuesday night made an unprecedented public apology to the families of innocent civilians who died during its 30-year bombing campaign.

In what may come to be seen as an historic statement that could breathe new confidence into the Northern Ireland peace process, the IRA said it offered "sincere apologies and condolences" to the families of "non-combatants" who died during its campaign of terror.

The statement came ahead of the anniversary this week of one of the worst IRA atrocities, the killing of nine people and the injury of more than 130 when terrorists bombed Belfast with 276 bombs on what came to be known as "Bloody Friday" - July 21 1972.

MPs at Westminster suggested the apology might also have been timed to try to stabilise the peace process at a difficult moment. Tony Blair is expected to respond soon to a demand from David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist leader, for action against Sinn Féin's position in the Northern Ireland government because of continuing IRA activity.

Ulster Unionists said the IRA statement was not enough. Lord Kilclooney, former party deputy leader John Taylor MP, said what the IRA said was "not sufficient".

"It is not sympathy that Ulster Unionists want from the IRA but an assurance that the war is over."

But there was a guarded welcome to the statement within the government.

"The Government clearly regrets all deaths during the Troubles but if this addresses the painful legacy of the past, then it is welcome," one senior official said.

"But what it underlines is the need for us all to implement the [Good Friday] agreement in full to ensure that there are no future deaths from violence in Northern Ireland."

The statement, signed by P. O'Neill, as are statements from the IRA leadership, said: "While it was not our intention to injure or kill non-combatants, the reality is that on this and on a number of other occasions, that was the consequence of our actions."

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