Non Gamstop CasinoNon Gamstop CasinoNon Gamstop CasinoNon Gamstop CasinosNon Gamstop CasinosNon Gamstop Casinos
Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Press Statements

Orange Order attacks Blair's "obscene double standards" over on the run terrorists

11 November 2005

THE HEAD of the Orange Order today called on Orangemen across Northern Ireland to make clear their contempt for the Government's double standards on terrorism, and to send a clear message to Tony Blair that there could never be meaningful peace and reconciliation in the Province without proper justice for the relatives of those murdered during the troubles.

Robert Saulters, Grand Master of the Order, described the government's plans published yesterday to grant an amnesty to IRA killers as "an obscenity".

"The proposals governing so called IRA on-the-runs make it perfectly clear that the Prime Minister believes that those who slaughter innocent people in, for example, a town square in Co. Fermanagh should be absolved of their crimes, while those even suspected of planning to do the same thing on the London Underground should be locked up for months without charge."

"Mr. Blair sought to justify holding suspects for up to 90 days without trial as a necessary measure to protect the rights of British citizens to be free from the threat of terrorism. What about the rights of British citizens in Northern Ireland to receive justice through the courts for their loved ones slaughtered at places like Enniskillen, Claudy, Kingsmill, or Tullyvallen?"

Noting that more 300 Orangemen had been murdered by republican terrorists since 1969, Mr. Saulters called on the Order's members to lobby as strongly as possible in any way they can for amendments to the proposed legislation when the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill is fully debated in the Commons and House of Lords.

"Blair suffered a humiliating defeat over his 90-day detention measure; in the interests of justice and sustainable peace in Northern Ireland we must campaign to ensure that the Government doesn't get its way over on-the-runs either."



Back to Back ~ Recent ~ Press Home
Ref: 051111-ontheruns

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
Schomberg House, 368 Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 9YE
T: +44 (0) 28 9070 1122 ~ F: +44 (0)28 9040 3700
Buy Online - the best way to buy

© Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland 2002-2006

Site Map

Web Design by www.truska.com