Alliance Party Chief Whip, Sean Neeson has attacked the hypocrisy of Sinn Fein in trying to portray themselves as victims of the talks process.

Alderman Neeson said:

“Unlike the Loyalist paramilitaries, not once has Sinn Fein apologized to the thousands of real victims who have been murdered and maimed by the bombs and bullets of the IRA. It is sickening to most people in Northern Ireland to watch these apologists for violence troop with crocodile tears on the streets because of their legitimate, albeit temporary, expulsion from the talks.”

Councillor David Ford, Alliance Spokesperson for South Antrim, has congratulated the organisers of last weeks peace rallies.

David Ford said:

“It was important that people had the opportunity to show their opposition to violence. After all the murders last month, there was a feeling of great fear across Northern Ireland.

“By coming together at a number of rallies, ordinary people – both Catholic and Protestant – showed their commitment to building a peaceful society here.

“As I was in Belfast, I attended the rally at the City Hall. I was disgusted by the behaviour of a group of Republicans who attempted to hijack the rally for their own purposes.

“Fortunately, the great majority of those present treated this behaviour with disdain, and showed their opposition to violence from all sides.”

North Down Alliance Councillor, Stephen Farry has condemned the so-called ‘punishment’ attack in the Whitehill Estate on Saturday and described it as a profoundly worrying development.

Stephen Farry said:

“This shooting in Whitehill is a profoundly worrying development. It is notable that it occurred near to the location where various paramilitary groups pasted threatening notices back in September.

“There seems to have been an increase in the number of so-called punishment beatings and shootings in the North Down area during 1997.

“They should be described as ‘so-called’ because the thugs that are responsible for these incidents have no legitimacy nor authority to carry out anything no matter what their victim is alleged to have done.

“There is never any justice involved. The ‘accused’ is entitled to no defence. Thugs act as judge, jury and executioneer. The ‘punishment’ dished out constitutes torture, and would be judged as a breach of human rights in most societies.

“There are clearly many social problems to be tackled in North Down and frustrations are building up. However, the only authorities that can provide solutions are the police, housing executive and social services.”