Another gaffe for Fr. Alex Reid!!

[BarryW]

Ireland.com

Redemptorist priest Fr Alex Reid is embroiled in a fresh political storm after he refused to accept that the Provisionals were involved in the £26 million Northern Bank robbery

"On that issue their leadership has denied it," he told BBC Northern Ireland's Hearts and Minds programme. "I believe absolutely that they had no truck to do with it."

He goes on to deny any widespread IRA involvement in crime.

I am sad to say it, but in the last 2 days Fr. Reid has given the DUP enough ammunition to last them for six months.
They were already trying to paint him as an IRA stooge who could not be trusted on the arms issue (with limited success) but they now have two glaring incidents to point towards to back up their claims

He has been very, very foolish. As one of the independent clerics who witnessed the decomissioning, it is extraordinary that he should be making such political statements at such a sensitive time.

[newFF]

Did he me " No truck to do it with" ....

[agora]

The only hope here is for Rev Good to come out and make some deeply sectarian comments about Catholics. Organising a wreath laying ceremony at Billy Wright's grave should do it. That way both sides can mistrust the witnesses, cancelling each other out.
Back in the real world however it's unclear as to what will happen.. Fr Reid would appear to have been very irresponsible on this.

[Gerrry]

Dont know what the fuss is here.

There is NO evidence to say or even suggest that the IRA carried out the Northern Bank Raid. All Barry W's wishful thinking doesnt think that.

Should Fr Reid have ignored the evidence (or in this case - lack of) and just blamed the IRA to please the DUP and the media etc?

He answered with more honesty than the likes of McDowell and others have in relation to this issue.

As for giving the DUP excuses, it doesnt make the slightest bit of difference. If Paisley himself witnessed the putting fo all the weapons beyond use, he still wouldnt have accepted it. Dont be fooled into thinking that all Paisley needed was some witnesses there that he trusted or that if he had got photos or even video evidence that he would have accepted it. Of course he wouldnt. This is all, and has always been about, trying to put obstacles in the way of sharing power with republicans and treating republicans as equals.

[ChrIreland]

Ireland.com

Redemptorist priest Fr Alex Reid is embroiled in a fresh political storm after he refused to accept that the Provisionals were involved in the £26 million Northern Bank robbery

[quote:4l9d7ojw]"On that issue their leadership has denied it," he told BBC Northern Ireland's Hearts and Minds programme. "I believe absolutely that they had no truck to do with it."

He goes on to deny any widespread IRA involvement in crime.

I am sad to say it, but in the last 2 days Fr. Reid has given the DUP enough ammunition to last them for six months.
They were already trying to paint him as an IRA stooge who could not be trusted on the arms issue (with limited success) but they now have two glaring incidents to point towards to back up their claims

He has been very, very foolish. As one of the independent clerics who witnessed the decomissioning, it is extraordinary that he should be making such political statements at such a sensitive time.[/quote:4l9d7ojw]

Well, depends on who you believe .................... the DUP are hardly very credible, and should be the last to crow considering that they have not CALLED for the loyalists to disarm. Strange how the unionist apologists down here are ready to make every excuse for the loyalists.

[mjcoughlan]

The question on my mind is why does he seem intent on antagonising unionists when, in fact, he should be trying to win their trust?

[BarryW]

Should Fr Reid have ignored the evidence (or in this case - lack of) and just blamed the IRA to please the DUP and the media etc?

The simple answer (realistically) is that Fr. Reid doesn't know who robbed the bank. So one would think that he should keep wuiet on the subject, especially given the current climate.

He is saying, however, that he believes the word of the IRA over that of the PSNI, the Gardai, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice.
Which, in the current climate, is also a very very foolish thing to say.

[BarryW]

The question on my mind is why does he seem intent on antagonising unionists when, in fact, he should be trying to win their trust?

Bingo.
As a man of the cloth, he is in the best position to lead the charge in trying to win the trust of Unionists. It is sad that he is not, and instead seems to try to dive into the grubby world of political bickering

[duff]

the provos have catholic priests defending them now, jaysus. I still treat them with the contempt they deserve after there anti republican crap through out the years.

[Gerrry]

Should Fr Reid have ignored the evidence (or in this case - lack of) and just blamed the IRA to please the DUP and the media etc?

The simple answer (realistically) is that Fr. Reid doesn't know who robbed the bank. So one would think that he should keep wuiet on the subject, especially given the current climate.

He is saying, however, that he believes the word of the IRA over that of the PSNI, the Gardai, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice.
Which, in the current climate, is also a very very foolish thing to say.

Not at all. He has experience dealing with all of them so he knows who is most trustworthy.

Secondly, he was asked the question wasnt he? Should he lie just to please the DUP?

BarryW:

The simple answer (realistically) is that Fr. Reid doesn't know who robbed the bank. So one would think that he should keep wuiet on the subject, especially given the current climate.

Would you also extend that to cover McDowell, Orde and Conroy who also do not know who carried out the Northern Bank Raid, or is it only to people who inconveniently say the IRA were not involved?