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Swinney Urges Move On From IRA Ties, Victims Protest.

5/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney urged people to “move on” from Sinn Féin’s historic links to the Provisional IRA, prompting backlash.
Victims’ families, organized by the South East Fermanagh Foundation, will protest outside Edinburgh’s Scottish Parliament this week demanding a public apology.
Alex Blair, whose brother died in the 1979 Warrenpoint bombing, called the comments deeply hurtful and seeks a face-to-face meeting with Swinney.

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Story summary

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney urged people to “move on” from Sinn Féin’s historic links to the Provisional IRA, prompting backlash.
Victims’ families, organized by the South East Fermanagh Foundation, will protest outside Edinburgh’s Scottish Parliament this week demanding a public apology.
Alex Blair, whose brother died in the 1979 Warrenpoint bombing, called the comments deeply hurtful and seeks a face-to-face meeting with Swinney.