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GERRY ADAMS HAS said he and Prince Charles don’t have much in common, but share a love of nature.
The Sinn Féin leader shared a historic handshake with the first in line to the British throne yesterday, before holding a private meeting with the Prince and Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
Adams said their discussion focused on the Troubles.
“I’m from Ballymurphy as you all know and sixteen people were killed in Ballymurphy, in Springhill, in two events. They included three children, they included a mother of eight, they included – which is quite amazing – two Catholic priests as well as ten local neighbours, friends of mine. Those families are still campaigning.”
Adams said he raised “the fact that the British government have yet to send files” to Irish authorities about the Dublin and Monaghan bombing.
He said they also discussed the death of prince’s greatuncle Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was killed by an IRA bomb at Mullaghmore harbour in County Sligo 36 years ago.
It was a very cordial engagement, it was an affable engagement. It’s my view that this man wants to help that process, that’s why I did the meeting.
Adams added that the meeting was both symbolic and “another practical step on the journey that we’re all on” and called on the government and other parties to “build on it”.
I think it was good for everyone. I’m very mindful of victims and survivors of the conflict – on all sides, but I think it was a very good step. It was a big thing for Charles to do, it was a big thing for us to do.
When asked if he would have believed someone who told him ten years ago he would be shaking the hand of Prince Charles, Adams stated: “I always have been a believer.”
“I would have very little in common, obviously, with a member of the British Royal family. I would never be reconciled to partition or the British government’s involvement in the affairs of the people of this island.
But, at the same time, he and I are of an age, we’re both tree huggers. We have other things in common but, more importantly, we both have suffered bereavement in the course of the conflict.
“What Mandela said famously, you know, you don’t make peace with your friends. Let’s try and make friends with our neighbours, including those on on nearest offshore island.”
Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, are continuing their four-day Irish tour today – with visits to Lissadell House, the Model Arts Centre, WB Yeats’ grave, Mullaghmore harbour, and the Sligo racecourse.
Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan will join the Prince and the Duchess, along with former President Mary McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese, at an ecumenical service of peace and reconciliation being organised by the Sligo Churches Together group at St Columba’s Church in Drumcliffe.
The granddaughter of Bloody Sunday victim Gerard McKinney, Bethany McLoughlin, will sing at the ceremony.
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That’s a good development I can never see the North returning to those dark times ever again.
IrishOptimisms,
Cameron needs the DUP. The coffee’s on, if you’d like a sniff.
Right, so If Cameron’s small majority needs help from the DUP on a bill or two the North returns to the troubles.
Right.
Ah Gerry, styling himself as a “man-of-peace”, acting all “statesmanlike”, quoting Mandela (!).
All he’s missing is a flower in his hair and Ghandi robes.
Clearly still hurting that the Nobel Peace Prize went to two other NI politicians.
Where was this Gerry 40, 30, 20, 10 years ago?
He should probably stop legitimising PIRA terrorism if he wants to be taken seriously.
More monkey talk, get a life ye clown.
@ dermo the vexed ape: “Where was this Gerry 40, 30, 20, 10 years ago?”
40 years ago, he was leading the struggle for equal voting rights for catholics.
30 years ago he was supporting the struggle against apartheid in south africa, eventually leading to him being good friends with the figurehead of the movement, Nelson Mandela
20 years ago he was risking his live negotiating off the radar with the british for peace on our island
10 years ago he was still being sent bullets in the mail and receiving death threats for his continued work to hold that peace together.
What have you done yourself, snowflake??
Dermot – the talking monkey fails to mention murder, kidnapping, robbery, mugging, hiding paedophiles.
I have certainly never led the political wing of a terrorist organisation which murdered and maimed thousands of my fellow Irish people.
That’s a plus in my column.
Delighted it took Adams until 2015, almost 50 years since the PIRA campaign of terrorism began, almost 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement, to shake hands with a royal.
His self-styled “man-of-peace” BS is laughable.
If you have any information regarding Gerry Adams involvement in any of those crimes, please contact the following numbers
Garda Confidential Line – 1800 666111
PSNI – + 44 28 9065 0222
Let us know how you get on……
There would be a lot more people still alive on this island if Gerry and his SF/PIRA movement promoted peace decades ago.
Nice to see a Bristish Subject talking to his future monarch.
dermo, Mary-Lou just didn’t want to go to your debs, it was noting personal. Let it go, move on, take the chip off your shoulder.
Werejammin: what a fascinating piece of revisionism.. equal voting rights for catholics! right there is where SF are trying to rewrite the narrative – that might work to those who don’t remember… i of course do..
alternative list..
40 years ago he with his fellow IRA men had negotiated with the british government – and he was interned. There was no mention of equal voting rights – because back then SInn Fein didn’t beleive in participating/recognising the british state – in fact nothing short of a complete withdrawal would suffice
30 years ago – completed a coup d’etat of the republican movement and helped reverse the policy of recognising leinster house by taking seats there.
20 years ago began the process of recognising the Northern state doing a uturn on all previous stated policy
10 years ago convinced the republican movement to surrender its weapons before a united ireland.
Leading the struggle for equal voting rights? Really? I think you are confusing him with Gerry Fitt and John Hume? And since when was the killing of grandparents with their grandson or the blowing up of small boys or the murder of mothers part of a civil rights struggle. And who was it that was leading the war against the British Army that necessitated all the civilian casualties? And was the purpose of that war not to get the Brita out? Or was I living in a parallel universe at the time that Emir Adams was carrying the coffins of footsoldiers and negotiating on behalf of the organisation that split from the organisation that split from the organisation that split from the organisation that led the struggle for Irish independence because they could not deal with a democratic vote and decision?
Don’t contact anyone – “we have not gone away you know”!
So Gerry wasn’t the leader of the political wing of the PIRA terrorist group?
Not sure even Adams would appreciate his press officer rewriting history like that Jamsy.
As an aside, does your “innocent until criminally convicted” logic apply to loyalist terrorist groups? That would be a departure for SF…
Werejammins history is akin to the creationists history of the world.. devoid of facts, full of spin and lots of nonsense. But of course like creationism versus evolution – its called ‘Sinn Feins history of the troubles’ – and its very different to everyones else’s or the facts.
Paul
No he doesn’t, he got the majority so if he loses it a new election happens!
@ were Jammin.. Love it!
@ were jammin… Abit off subject but did you or anyone else notice an article about 20mins ago written up on the Journal here about how FG/LAB/FF were absent when Gerry Adams was shaking hands with Prince Charles yesterday? the article was from a guy called Paul, who has his own blog.. Didn’t catch his last name and I couldn’t post in the comment section and then the article disappeared? Anyone read the article before it was taken off or were my eyes deceiving me?
Nothing to see here. Move along.
@ Lucille: Missed it, but there was an article yesterday stating the following….
http://www.thejournal.ie/gerry-adams-martin-mcguinness-charles-2112222-May2015/
“The Belfast Telegraph reported earlier that the main political parties in the Republic – Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil – had raised objections to the meeting over concerns that it could portray Adams as a peacemaker in the south with an election less than a year away.”
is it true wikipedia has SF classed as a disease :D
“is it true wikipedia has SF classed as a disease :D”
Is it true inda has dutch elm disease?
Agree with Lucille.
There was an article up wondering why FG,FF etc. never bothered to show up yesterday but only SF went and how it was a coup for SF, then it was pulled after 10 minutes.
Jeez I wonder why…..
Jamsy, quoting a Denis O’Brien owned newspaper now are we?
You really are beyond farcical!!!
Sf ind for government
I think this is the one.
http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/prince-charles-gerry-adams-handshake-2113474-May2015/
BillyBillyWilliam….dont be silly
The handshake seen around the world, two statesmen who both lost family members in the conflict put the past behind them and more forward towards an enduring peace. A great moment, especially for our diaspora.
(Can’t post the links here for some reason, but the worlds newspapers all carried the story.)
ww.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000003692667/gerry-adams-shakes-princes-hand.html
ww.wsj.com/video/prince-charles-meets-sinn-fein-leader-gerry-adams/B5A8645F-9C14-4899-81B8-ED23230CE269.html
ww.washingtonpost.com/world/prince-charles-in-ireland-meets-with-sinn-fein-party-leader-gerry-adams/2015/05/19/5dc4259c-fe28-11e4-8c77-bf274685e1df_story.html
ww.nbcnews.com/watch/nbc-news/watch-prince-charles-gerry-adams-shake-hands-for-first-time-447578179907
ww.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-20/prince-charles-shakes-hands-irish-republican-leader-gerry-adams/6482392
ww.dw.de/prince-charles-meets-sinn-fein-leader-gerry-adams/a-18461919
ww.ansa.it/english/news/2015/05/19/prince-charles-in-historic-handshake-with-gerry-adams_912d435d-1270-44a0-8bfc-7d0be7605b95.html
ww.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-32786393
ww.lepoint.fr/monde/rencontre-historique-entre-le-prince-charles-et-gerry-adams-19-05-2015-1929521_24.php
ww.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/18/sinn-fein-president-gerry-adams-to-meet-prince-charles
edition.cnn.com/2015/05/19/europe/prince-charles-gerry-adams-meeting/
Great to see. Great to read some of the optimistic comments on the journal, it’s just a shame in order to read them we have to scroll through the comments of sad and pathetic begrudgers who can’t stand to see progress.
Where can I apply for a job at SF HQ? May as well get paid for posting on this site am i right?
If I worked for SF HQ pontius, I would have been fired a long time ago, probably when campaigning for David Norris for the Presidency.
Sinn Féin are going to take the presidency next presidential election I believe, if the Northerners are allowed to vote. I heard some legislation was allowing them to vote in it.
Charles’ cup of coffee/tea is significant.
To empasise that the meeting was casual and informal – and during normal mingling at a reception, for something.
Shinners are talking up a few seconds conversation…..
Great SFHQ press office work Jamsy!
PS, only one of those boys will be head of State over a corner of this island, and it’s not your dear leader.
Wanna ask our diaspora, especially those in England, how they were received for 30+ years during the PIRA/SF civilian bombing campaign?
Doubt they will be too teary eyed…
Were Jammin..at least you are consistent.. Gerry allegedly didn’t report the sex abusers to the police and Senator Norris allegedly wrote a letter to a Judge giving a character reference for a man who had sex with a teenager.
(Journal not use of word allegedly, this should be enough that you don’t delete the comment as you always seem to do when the subject about the Senator is brought up)
There’s nothing “alleged” about it. Adams’ actions are a matter of public record from his own evidence in the trial of his brother. The first trial, not the second one in which both sides decided he was such a poor witness that they wouldn’t call him.
imagine all that publicity and not a sniff of power in either jurisdiction- that folks is hilarious :D
why would we let foreigners vote in our elections?
For once this was outside the standard Sinn Fein sound bite photo op arrangement. Huge credit to Adams and Charles for a meeting more symbolic than Martin and the queen. Tree huggers indeed.
If Gerry likes hugging wooden planks so much then why doesn’t he hug Enda Kenny?
The media kept asking Sinn Fein about Republican violence during the war- ( which was their right )-
The media never asked prince Charles about the parachute regiments violence during the war-( which means the media have lost all rights to be the media )-
SF ask us to vote for them, we shall concentrate on them :)
Gerry doesn’t really talk to the special branches .
As usual Rte played down the significance! and kept mentioning how prince Charles’s was killed by the ira.. And only mentioned how he was in charge of the parachute regiment about twice.
RIP prince Charles
Let’s be real for a moment.
We all know he wasn’t “in charge” of any regiment in any real way, only symbolically. Do you imagine he sits in a Situation Room at the palace with an array of TV monitors with some white-haired military guys repeating his orders into a telephone? If so, you’re confusing him with President Whatshisface on The West Wing.
Does the fact that Prince Charles’ relative, along with a couple of innocent young boys, were murdered by PIRA/SF “patriots”, make you happy Ross?
Well then that makes them a good match, since Gerry wasn’t in the IRA at all, just a figurehead who negotiated on behalf of the IRA and did the orations at IRA funerals.
Reports of a failed attempt to bundle Camilla into a horse box.
The “republican” movement has a habit of bundling women into hirseboxes, vans and car boots. I wonder will they find Camilla on a beach somewhere.
I think that’s a reference to shergar.
Laytown only race old nags in September!!
I firmly believe that Gerry Adams will be seen as a great Irishman in years to come. Comparable to Collins, ( who incidentally, had a very bloody history), and all our other “great ” patriots.
If the heir to the British throne can respect Adam’s contribution to Peace and Reconciliation, surely there is something very wrong with his fellow countrymen who can’t.
Never mind our countrymen.
he aint our countryman, he is british born and bred, his title BARON adams is a hint :D
Aaah! you’re only jealous…peasant patjoe.
This was an incredible publicity coup for Adams and SF/IRA – no more, no less…
OK diarmuid
Yeah, they’re clearly raging they boycotted the British Queen 4 years ago…
What has changed in the interim to make this a possibility?!
Nothing… just playing PR catch up.
another classic shiner u turn :D
Two great political men it’s just a shame that they are powerless to prevent water charges
It’s a shame you couldn’t stick to the story. Don’t worry service will resume as normal after the referendum and you can have all the water charge stories that you like.
i doubt two brits could care less about irish water charges
Gerry adams should get the Nobel peace award for his out standing loyalty towards the peace process in the north of ireland._._.
Nothing much in common? Mountbatten?
I’d love to know what they said to each other.
Diarmuid the talking monkey is a troll and a braindead troll at that. He must have SMS alerts for articles about SF and Gerry.
Adams is an evolving political figure in Ireland and could make a serious Statesman if he becomes Taoiseach or Leader of the Opposition.
well both are british thats a start :D
You could’nt make it up!
have your say