Sinn Féin Silence On Barry McElduff Leaves Much To Be Desired
Sean Bresnahan argues that Barry McElduff was hard done by.
Where was this same support for Barry, who needed and deserved it more than anyone? Sadly it was nowhere to be found, with his eldest daughter left to lead his defence on her own. There is surely something shameful in that, with local Councillors Glenn Campbell and Stevie McCann the only ones man enough to publicly offer support. And fair play to them both, for it was the right and proper thing to do.
There is something awry, though, in regard to the actions — or lack of — of the rest of the party’s hierarchy here in Tyrone, made only the more striking given their newfound social media voices today. There is something deeply distasteful to it all because, for me, Republicanism has always meant ‘no man left behind’. That, of course, has long changed but it is what it is no matter.
Having known Barry from my earliest days with the Republican Movement, though now in disagreement over Republican strategy, how things turned out for him have been difficult to watch. I know in my heart there is no way on earth that the video he made was an attack on the Kingsmill families — and so too do his supposed colleagues, who sat stum until after the fact, abandoning him when he needed them most.
Ultimately, Barry McElduff is many things to many different people and more so now than ever. But to me he is — and will always be — a good man. A worker for the people, many who criticise him would have no concept of his efforts for the ordinary folk of this area, most of which were never publicised for personal political gain. He just done the job.
Anything I’ve ever had to say about Barry, especially when being critical, I said it straight to his face. I’d like to think it was likewise, on his part, in regards to myself. Either way, for the significant role he played in the early years of my development as a Republican I take this opportunity to say thanks.
No matter our differences over the past few years, none of which spilled over into the personal — unlike with some others — I wish him and his family only the best as they move now into a new and unheralded period of their lives. When all is said, and as I know from my own experiences, family is the only thing you can count on in the end. Indeed, at the finish, it’s the only thing that does count.
Sean Bresnahan blogs at An Claidheamh Soluis
Follow Sean Bresnahan on Twitter @bres79
Where was this same support for Barry, who needed and deserved it more than anyone? Sadly it was nowhere to be found, with his eldest daughter left to lead his defence on her own. There is surely something shameful in that, with local Councillors Glenn Campbell and Stevie McCann the only ones man enough to publicly offer support. And fair play to them both, for it was the right and proper thing to do.
There is something awry, though, in regard to the actions — or lack of — of the rest of the party’s hierarchy here in Tyrone, made only the more striking given their newfound social media voices today. There is something deeply distasteful to it all because, for me, Republicanism has always meant ‘no man left behind’. That, of course, has long changed but it is what it is no matter.
Having known Barry from my earliest days with the Republican Movement, though now in disagreement over Republican strategy, how things turned out for him have been difficult to watch. I know in my heart there is no way on earth that the video he made was an attack on the Kingsmill families — and so too do his supposed colleagues, who sat stum until after the fact, abandoning him when he needed them most.
Ultimately, Barry McElduff is many things to many different people and more so now than ever. But to me he is — and will always be — a good man. A worker for the people, many who criticise him would have no concept of his efforts for the ordinary folk of this area, most of which were never publicised for personal political gain. He just done the job.
Anything I’ve ever had to say about Barry, especially when being critical, I said it straight to his face. I’d like to think it was likewise, on his part, in regards to myself. Either way, for the significant role he played in the early years of my development as a Republican I take this opportunity to say thanks.
No matter our differences over the past few years, none of which spilled over into the personal — unlike with some others — I wish him and his family only the best as they move now into a new and unheralded period of their lives. When all is said, and as I know from my own experiences, family is the only thing you can count on in the end. Indeed, at the finish, it’s the only thing that does count.
Sean Bresnahan blogs at An Claidheamh Soluis
Follow Sean Bresnahan on Twitter @bres79
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