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One of the most disappointing aspects of the recent controversy
surrounding alleged collusion and the RUC Special Branch during
the Troubles, was the failure of many influential people in
the Protestant community to speak up for the Force.
Once again, most leading Protestant Churchmen preferred to
remain silent and not make their voices heard on an issue
which concerned so many people within their community.
It is time for people to stand up and be counted on this
issue, because make no mistake about it, one of the principal
aims of Sinn Fein is to denigrate the name and reputation
of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and to re-write the history
books.
Of course there were a few people within the RUC who let
the side down and who failed an honourable Service. But that
is the same with all organisations and bodies, especially
one with such a large membership.
It must never be forgotten that the RUC stood alone with
the Army and the part-time Ulster Defence Regiment, in saving
this society from dissent into total anarchy and probably
civil war.
At many times during the 30 years of the Troubles, the Province
stood on the brink of a potential situation similar to that
in Iraq today.
The casualty figures many not be the same, but otherwise
Ulster was as tormented by terrorism and violence as Iraq,
Kosovo, Bosnia and other leading trouble spots.
Over 3,500 people lost their lives in Northern Ireland, and
over 100,000 injured. Had those figures been translated into
UK terms, it would have meant nearly 200,000 dead, and half-a-million
wounded.
Over 300 policemen and policewomen died along with similar
causalities in the Army and UDR, and of course huge numbers
of civilians died.
The IRA bomb campaign destroyed large parts of Belfast, Londonderry,
Portadown, and other provincial towns, and its effect was
to cost Northern Ireland tens of thousands of jobs, and a
ravaged infrastructure.
Welcome paramilitary ceasefires have resulted in a virtual
end of terrorist violence. But it takes decades for people
to recover from the effects of such a long terrorist campaign,
and for the families and loved ones of those who died, they
can never forget.
Now that a form of normality exists, there is a tendency
to 'investigate' aspects of the terrorist war which hitherto
had not been the subject of much examination.
The furore over the RUC Special Branch and its alleged collusion
with certain loyalist paramilitaries is one of those aspects
now being examined.
That is perfectly alright, provided such an examination should
be fair, and founded on fact, and not unsubstantiated rumours
and allegations.
But in the race to point the finger at elements within the
Special Branch, those so quick to condemn should not forget
the debt that is owed to this vital cog in the security screen
which protected Northern Ireland for three decades.
Of course Special Branch officers had to mix with some very
unpleasant and undesirable people. But this is part of the
war waged by all intelligent services and security forces
throughout the world.
If some officers did cross the line and go beyond justifiable
limits, then they were wrong, and are entitled to be criticised.
But it must be accepted, and never forgotten, that the vast
majority of police officers, including those in Special Branch,
carried out their onerous duties in dedicated and honourable
fashion, earning the RUC the accolade of being regarded as
the most efficient police force in Europe, and perhaps the
world.
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