"Our greatest revenge will be the laughter of our children"?

As the more astute of you may have worked out from yesterday's post, I was expecting the personal rumours that have been swirling around about certain high-ranking DUP members to finally be confirmed by someone in the press today. They weren't; they may still well be but even if what I've heard is true, then the most the individuals can be accused of is rank hypocrisy and I'm also as near to 100% certain, as you can be, their feet won't meet the ground on the quickest exit out of the DUP.

In contrast:

Twelve days ago Northern Editor Suzanne Breen interviewed the daughter of a former IRA commander who has made very serious allegations of physical and sexual abuse against a serving Sinn Féin elected representative. The woman, who approached the Sunday Tribune, outlined how she suffered unspeakable abuse, including being made to drink her own urine as a 10-year-old in 1980, beatings and being locked in a dog kennel.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and others in SF were informed of the terrible details of the allegations against this person. At one stage Gerry Adams promised to have this alleged abuser expelled from the party.

On interview this woman gave the Sunday Tribune documentary evidence from her school and social workers of her situation as a child. She was subsequently taken out of this individual's care.

She posed for photographs in Belfast and after being read the contents of the story by Breen, agreed completely with it and with its publication. Forty-eight hours ago this woman was happy to be identified and to put her case about Sinn Féin cover-ups. However, under intense pressure yesterday she withdrew her consent at the eleventh hour and sought, through the Belfast solicitors' firm Madden and Finucane, to have no details published whatsoever.

Today we honour her request for anonymity, but we publish the horrifying details of what she says happened to her as a child and how she alleges Sinn Féin and Gerry Adams failed to act. She is one of two very young, very defenceless and very vulnerable young women, both members of families who are the equivalent of republican royalty – the daughter of a legendary IRA leader and the grand-niece of none other than the founder of the IRA and its chief-of-staff – that Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin were informed had been sexually abused. Despite this, both these alleged abusers retain leading roles within Sinn Féin to this day

They remain obviously allegations at this stage but horrific ones that should, at the very least, create an uncomfortable question in all Sinn Fein members', supporters' and voters' consciences. If they do turn out to be true (and the amount of SF spin appearing on Slugger and elsewhere is ominous in that regard), what then will the answer to that uncomfortable question be?

Finally for now, what I also find sad is I really doubt any Northern Irish based media-outlet would have had the courage to run with this story even if it had been presented to them on the plate...making you think: exactly what else has been covered up over all these years?

Update

Also sad is the response from our local human rights' industry:

The NIHRC:

"The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission works vigorously and independently to ensure that the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland are fully and firmly protected in law, policy and practice."

Today, silence.

The N.Ireland Commissioner for Children and Youth:

"To that end the Commission measures law, policy and practice in Northern Ireland against internationally accepted rules and principles for the protection of human rights and ensures that they are promoted, adopted and applied throughout Northern Ireland. We welcome your feedback and hope that this resource is of interest.
NICCY’s job is to promote and safeguard the rights and best interests of children and young people"

Today, silence.

N. Ireland Human Rights Consortium

"...a Bill of Rights which puts people before politics is long overdue."

Today, silence.