Need for Lawful Ireland Emphasized

By Alex Attwood

The need for a lawful Ireland is an unrelenting message at door after door in this election. On the ground, there is a wide sense and a growing fear that the writ of the lawless runs at the end of some streets or within some communities and across even some parts of the country. The overwhelming number of people agree that all are equal under the law, that our communities are strong for justice and live by and live up to proper standards. It is those in organized crime and paramilitary gangs who do not.

Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness said: "People are telling the SDLP that they feel badly, badly let down. People are asking how come eleven years since the UDA, UVF and IRA ceasefires, seven years after parties committed to the Agreement, courageous families are denied justice, crime and paramilitary gangs rob and racketeer and people joining a changing police service are demonized. Why do some cling to the lawless way, which is not our way?

People are very clear. They had hoped that all this would be ended, eleven years after ceasefires. Terrible murders, continuing organized crime, recent drug arrests, and millions laundered means it is far from ended. This has been a deep breach of faith.

What does this mean? The real reason why the provisional movement does not accept the new policing structures is not any issue about Patten, but that a lawful Ireland threatens their moneymaking and control over the lives of citizen and community. The loyalist paramilitaries are no better."

South Belfast MLA Carmel Hanna said: "In the last four months, a stronger democratic nationalism has grown and is growing. It is telling those who are lawless on the island, whatever their background, they will not get their way. May 5th can further strengthen the hand and power of democratic nationalism. It is the best way to move politics on and to bring about a lawful Ireland.

The SDLP have seven strategies on policing, which build confidence in policing, drive Patten, and pursue crime gangs in order to make citizens safe in their homes and communities safe in their neighborhoods.

Local, area by area approaches to ease fear and the fear of crime;

• All equal before the law; 
• All-Ireland policing, justice and assets recovery; 
• Normal policing through de-fortification, demilitarization and putting police officers on the ground; 
• Full speed ahead on Patten; 
• Maximizing accountability of the police; 
• Transfer of justice powers quickly. 

These are the standards of the SDLP. Others must measure up to them.
 
 

Alex Attwood is policing spokesman for the SDLP. He spoke April 25, 2005, at the launch of the SDLP document entitled "Stronger for a Lawful Ireland.