Foster slams support for IRA bomber Price
A LEADING member of the DUP has launched a scathing attack on Fermanagh District Council’s support for a convicted IRA bomber.
Arlene Foster said she was “disgusted” to hear that the council decided on Monday night to call for the immediate release of Marian Price – one of two sisters imprisoned for their role in a bomb attack on the Old Bailey in 1973.
Although Price had been released from prison on licence, she had her licence revoked after being accused of providing a mobile phone for a terrorist purpose in March 2009, shortly before two soldiers were shot dead at Massereene barracks.
She was also charged with aiding and abetting a meeting in support of an illegal organisation last April. She denies the charges.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Mrs Foster said: “The decision by Fermanagh District Council to write to the Secretary of State calling for the release of Marian Price is another disgraceful example of the blinkered attitude within nationalism when it comes to criminality and terrorism.
“The fact this comes just a few months after the decision by Dungannon Council to support the release of Gerry McGeough, makes last night’s vote even more disgraceful.
“The DUP is absolutely clear in our view that everyone must be treated equally under the law but it would seem that republicans and nationalists seem to believe that this should not apply to certain sections of the community.
“Whilst lecturing others they then indulge in their own ‘a la carte’ approach to supporting the rule of law.”
The motion was proposed by a former Sinn Fein councillor now sitting as an independent, but Mrs Foster said the “single biggest challenge” must go down to the SDLP “who constantly lecture others whilst engaging in rank hypocrisy”.
She said: “Whether it is members of their party carrying the coffins of INLA members, supporting playparks being named after IRA gunmen or calling for the release of dissident republicans, it would seem that there is no shade of republican terrorism which cannot find support from within the ranks of the SDLP.”
However, John O’Kane of the SDLP defended his support for the motion as he was “opposed to internment without trial”.
The Fermanagh councillor said: “My party is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Marian Price but we do consider that, if there is any real evidence against Marian Price, then she should be brought to trial instead of being kept in ongoing detention.”
Mr O’Kane said it was a “rather flimsy excuse” used to revoke Price’s licence and added: “Our record over the years is supporting civil rights and non-violence.”
Monday night’s motion was passed by 12 votes to 10 with councillors split along traditional nationalist and unionist lines.
Last month, Price was granted three hours’ compassionate bail to attend the wake of her sister Dolours.
