Northern Ireland: The usual condemnation

Catholic gravestones at Carnmoney Cemetery were smashed

Examples of political cynicism are not hard to find in any country, but there are few to compare with the unnamed Northern Ireland politician who, when asked to comment on the latest atrocity on his home turf, is reputed to have commented: ...

Put me down for the usual condemnation ...

Condemning the actions of others became meat and drink to local politicians through the worst years of the Troubles.

With direct rule in place and devolution put on hold there was little else left for politicians to do.

Condemning the other side was, of course, much easier than drawing attention to the misdeeds committed by the home team.

Politicians became adept as the strategy known as 'whataboutery'.

Never mind about the sins of their own followers, what about the other lot?

Sinn Fein leaders were regularly pressed to condemn the violent actions of the republican movement in television interviews, particularly after the lifting of the Broadcasting Ban in 1994.

The reply came that they refused to engage in a pointless game of ritual condemnation.

Gravestones desecrated

Death threat to parish priest Father Dan Whyte

The recent smashing of Catholic gravestones at Carnmoney Cemetery in Newtownabbey, the subsequent disruption of a religious service and death threat to parish priest Father Dan Whyte have again raised the question of political condemnation.

Ulster Unionist councillor Ivan Hunter condemned the incidents at Carnmoney and at the same time accused Father Whyte of not doing enough to reduce tensions.

Mr Hunter also suggested that Father Whyte had taken too long to remove sectarian graffiti from his church door.

Mr Hunter blamed the problem on religious segregation

Interviewed by the Politics Show's Jim Fitzpatrick Mr Hunter blamed the problem on religious segregation within the cemetery. ...

I can't run away from the truth, ... he said, ... it is the Catholic community that have to accept responsibility.

They have to accept that they have created this situation and its up to them to prevent it happening again ...

This week on the Politics Show from Northern Ireland, we examine the politics of condemnation.

The Politics Show

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