Republicans urged to be ‘courageous’ in reconciliation initiatives

Declan Kearney

IN a major article in the current edition of An Phoblacht, Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney urges republicans to be “courageous” and “prepared to go the extra mile” in reaching out to the unionist and Protestant community.

“Reconciliation means being willing to have uncomfortable conversations,” the senior Sinn Féin figure warns, adding:

“A deep suspicion remains within unionist communities towards republicans due to the legacy of the armed struggle. Real hurt exists on all sides.”

Declan Kearney tells An Phoblacht readers:

“This is a time for republicans to free up our thinking, to carefully explore the potential for taking new and considered initiatives in the interests of reconciliation.”

The full article can be read in the print edition of An Phoblacht, out on Thursday 1 March.