26 July 2001 Edition
Crossbarry 2001: McGuinness praises unionist courage
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness told a gathering in County Cork at the weekend that he wanted to pay tribute to the courage of the majority of unionists who had recognised that there could be no return to the days of unionist domination.
McGuinness was speaking at an event to mark the Battle of Crossbarry during the War of Independence in which a Flying Column of IRA men, led by legendary republican Tom Barry, defeated a large contingent of British Forces on 19 March 1921.
The event, organised by an independent committee, is held every year and past speakers have included Albert Reynolds, the former Taoiseach. This year, the organisers said they had one of the biggest gatherings ever.
McGuinness told the audience: ``The majority of unionists recognise that there can be no return to the days of unionist domination. They recognise the benefits of the new approach and I want to pay tribute to them for the courage and vision they have shown and their willingness to build the new future with the rest of us on the island.
``But that majority of unionist opinion lacks one element - political leadership. Therein lies the cause of the difficulties that have dogged this process from its inception.''
McGuinness said that since the day it was agreed, unionist leader David Trimble had sought to frustrate the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and continually sought to have it renegotiated.
McGuinness was speaking at an event to mark the Battle of Crossbarry during the War of Independence in which a Flying Column of IRA men, led by legendary republican Tom Barry, defeated a large contingent of British Forces on 19 March 1921.
The event, organised by an independent committee, is held every year and past speakers have included Albert Reynolds, the former Taoiseach. This year, the organisers said they had one of the biggest gatherings ever.
McGuinness told the audience: ``The majority of unionists recognise that there can be no return to the days of unionist domination. They recognise the benefits of the new approach and I want to pay tribute to them for the courage and vision they have shown and their willingness to build the new future with the rest of us on the island.
``But that majority of unionist opinion lacks one element - political leadership. Therein lies the cause of the difficulties that have dogged this process from its inception.''
McGuinness said that since the day it was agreed, unionist leader David Trimble had sought to frustrate the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and continually sought to have it renegotiated.