LONDON – The political leader of the Irish Republican movement on Sunday tried to anoint an old wound at a time of grief for the Royal Family of Britain for the assassination of Louis Mountbatten, an uncle of Prince Philip in 1979.
Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Fein, who was once the political wing of the underground Irish Republican Army, told a London radio station: ‘Of course I’m sorry; of course it is heartbreaking. ”
Me. McDonald offered the country’s apology a day after Queen Elizabeth II buried her husband, Philip, in a ceremony at Windsor Castle honoring their military careers. His uncle Lord Mountbatten, a celebrated commander during World War II, who later served as India’s last viceroy, overseeing the partition and transition to independence, died after a bomb exploded on his fishing boat off the coast of Ireland. .
The assassination, carried out by members of the IRA, was one of the most conspicuous attacks during the Northern Ireland troubles, and the one that struck the closest to the heart of the royal family. In addition to his ties to Philip, Lord Mountbatten was friendly with the Queen and a mentor to the couple’s eldest son, Prince Charles.
In an interview with Times Radio, Mrs. McDonald said Sinn Fein is now engaged in peaceful politics. Asked if she would apologize to Charles for the assassination, she said the British army had carried out violent acts in Northern Ireland, but added that she regretted the murder of Lord Mountbatten.
“It is all our job to ensure that no other child, no other family, no matter who they are, suffers the same trauma and grief that was all too common on all sides of this island and beyond,” she said. McDonald said. “I would like to repeat that your queen buried her beloved husband this weekend.”
Lord Mountbatten was on holiday in his Irish home, Classiebawn Castle, in August 1979 when the IRA placed a radio-controlled bomb on his boat and it exploded when he was a few hundred meters abroad and lobster with members of his family potted.
In addition to Lord Mountbatten, the blast killed Lady Brabourne, the mother-in-law of his older daughter, Patricia; his 14-year-old grandson, Nicholas Knatchbull; and a friend, Paul Maxwell.
The IRA quickly took responsibility for the attack, characterizing Lord Mountbatten, who once led Britain’s army, as a legitimate target in his armed struggle against the British government. Gerry Adams, then a top official in Sinn Fein, said at the time: “What the IRA did to him is what Mountbatten did to other people all his life.”
Mr. Adams later softened his position without giving it up. After a meeting with Charles in 2015, he said both men lamented the bloodshed when the problems escalated after 1968. But he reiterates his argument that Lord Mountbatten knew the risks of traveling to Ireland during that time.
“I stand by what I said then,” he said. Adams said. ‘I’m not one of those people who’s doing revisionism. Fortunately, the war is over. ”
Sinn Fein is historically identified by his ties to the Irish Republican Army, a legacy he has never been able to shake with older Irish. But under the guidance of me. McDonald’s, the party appealed to younger urban voters with policies to address Ireland’s acute housing crisis.
In last year’s election, Sinn Fein won about the same number of seats in parliament as each of Ireland’s two founding parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Since no one with Sinn Fein wanted to form a government – in part because of the IRA legacy – they agreed to form a formal governing coalition for the first time.
A senior diplomat noted that Sinn Fein’s gesture brought it in line with the rest of Ireland, where the assassination of Lord Mountbatten had long been condemned.
“Sinn Fein’s apology, even if it is too late, is a welcome step to leave the past behind and build a better future on the island,” said Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish ambassador to Britain.