Press Releases

Springfield, MA - Congressman Richard E. Neal, Co-Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, issued the following statement tonight appealing for calm in Northern Ireland and condemning the violence that has returned to the streets in the last week.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the orchestrated violence that has returned to the streets of Northern Ireland in the past week.  There is simply no place for this type of illegal activity in a democratic society. The sustained attacks against the PSNI, which has resulted in more than 70 police officers being injured is unacceptable and unjustifiable. Nearly 23 years since the signing of Good Friday Agreement, the people responsible for the latest unrest need to be reminded that a shared and prosperous future will not be achieved by rioting, burning busses and throwing petrol bombs. Differences must be solved through the crucible of politics.  

“I join President Biden on this side of the Atlantic in appealing for an immediate calming of tensions in the north. The violent protests should end immediately. Political leaders must demonstrate positive leadership and engage with one another to resolve disputes through the structures of the Good Friday Agreement. The peace process on the island of Ireland is a template for successful conflict resolution around the globe. We must prevent a small minority’s efforts to ignore this historic achievement and attempt to bring back the past.”

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