The Terrorists That Blair Wants To Embrace
Gerry Kelly joined the IRA in 1972 and was jailed for life in 1973 for his part in bomb attacks on the Old Bailey and Scotland Yard in which 180 people were injured. In 1982 he led a mass escape from the Maze Prison but was recaptured in Holland in 1986. He was freed in 1989 and has taken part in the negotiations leading to the Assembly elections. He has now been elected as one of the six members for North Belfast.
Of course both Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness have been elected. Gerry Adams is a former battalion commander of the IRA and both he and McGuinness are believed to sit on the IRA Army Council.
In Newry and Armagh Pat McNamee was elected for Sinn Fein, he has served 8 years for possessing explosives with intent to endanger life. His Sinn Fein colleague in the constituency, Conor Murphy has served four years for membership of the IRA.
In Mid Ulster Sinn Fein's John Kelly has also been convicted for membership of the IRA, while in South Down Mick Murphy was described in court as an IRA commander when he was sent down for possession of rifles.
There are other elected representatives who have clear terrorist connections. All in all it is a bit like electing the Krays as the new Mayor and deputy of London - if it all ends in tears and violence it will hardly come as a surprise.
This article first appeared in the now defunct 'vanguard' magazine, issue 53.