I loved Patrick Raden Keefe’s book, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, when it came out in 2020, the true story of the IRA unit known as the Unknowns, and the disappearance and execution (really murder) of Jean McConville, a 38-year-old widow and mother of 10, who was dragged from her Belfast home in 1972 and killed, execution style, in Southern Ireland.
Adams was the spokesman and leader of the political wing of the IRA. If he was a terrorist or could be proven to aid terrorists, he’d have been subject to arrest in Ulster or the Irish Republic. Given that Adams was instrumental in the Good Friday peace accords, and shared political power with Ian Paisley (and became friendly with him) I have no reason to think he was “lying through his teeth” about complicity with IRA violence and terrorism. Let’s be reasonable- the British and English have inflicted untold horrors on the Irish for centuries on account of their relative isolation, ardent Catholicism and vulnerability in Europes far-West. I decry the terrorism involved but it doesn’t surprise me that the Nationalists elected to take matters into their own hands. Thank God it’s come to a good end and prosperity is taking hold in the Republic.
Duplicity is one of the building blocks of IRA/Sinn Féin strategy, especially since the early 1980s and their dual role in politics and violence. Their transformation from a terrorist campaign to top table politics, without changing their values or goals and without distancing themselves from their terrorist past has been masterful, but IMO duplicitous.
Yes, IMO Adams is "lying through his teeth." The story of Jean McConville and the other "disappeared" is one of saddest legacies of the Troubles.
Fascinating history. Looking forward to watching this. Stoked my interest.
Making the local news today, Jean McConville’s son speaks against the series.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62961pp930o
Adams was the spokesman and leader of the political wing of the IRA. If he was a terrorist or could be proven to aid terrorists, he’d have been subject to arrest in Ulster or the Irish Republic. Given that Adams was instrumental in the Good Friday peace accords, and shared political power with Ian Paisley (and became friendly with him) I have no reason to think he was “lying through his teeth” about complicity with IRA violence and terrorism. Let’s be reasonable- the British and English have inflicted untold horrors on the Irish for centuries on account of their relative isolation, ardent Catholicism and vulnerability in Europes far-West. I decry the terrorism involved but it doesn’t surprise me that the Nationalists elected to take matters into their own hands. Thank God it’s come to a good end and prosperity is taking hold in the Republic.
I think the evidence is overwhelming in favour of Adams dissembling on this matter: one example among many (besides the testimonies of Brendan Hughes and Dolours Price Rea): https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/gerry-adams-s-ira-years-an-insider-s-account-1.3385451
Duplicity is one of the building blocks of IRA/Sinn Féin strategy, especially since the early 1980s and their dual role in politics and violence. Their transformation from a terrorist campaign to top table politics, without changing their values or goals and without distancing themselves from their terrorist past has been masterful, but IMO duplicitous.