A Trojan Horse? Unionism, Trust and Truth-telling in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the relationship between trust, testimony and truth recovery processes as part of post-conflict transition. The paper uses the case study of unionist attitudes toward a community-based truth-telling project in Northern Ireland to demonstrate the impact an absence of trust can have upon what the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur has described as the 'space of controversy' that emerges between the 'certification' and the 'accreditation' of testimony. The paper suggests such distrust is a legacy, not only of conflict, but also of the particular circumstances of transition and the specific mechanisms of truth recovery adopted. Ultimately the paper argues for a holistic, community-centred approach towards truth-telling and raises issues relevant to other violently divided societies undergoing transition and grappling with ways in which to deal with the legacy of political conflict.

Attitudes towards a Truth Commission for Northern Ireland in Relation to Party Political Affiliation

“…Central to this debate is whether or not there needs to be some form of official 'truth recovery' process or truth commission. The arguments for and against such a process in the Northern Ireland context are complex and are discussed in detail elsewhere (Bell, 2003;Lundy and McGovern, 2007b;McEvoy, 2006). What follows is a brief synopsis.…”

The Great Awakening? The Belfast Flag Protests and Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist Counter-memory in Northern Ireland

“…Feeling 'left behind' is not entirely surprising when one examines the reality on the ground in working-class PUL communities. While the peace process may have blossomed into fruition, PUL communities have declined socially and economically throughout that same process leading to feelings of inconfidence and inarticulacy within that community (Lundy & McGovern, 2008). A perception has taken hold in PUL communities that republican communities have prospered at their expense, although the notion that the PUL community is at a socio-economic disadvantage on a sectarian basis is a myth (Clarke, 2013b) 1 .…”

Paradoxes and challenges of transitional justice at the ‘local’ level: historical enquiries in Northern Ireland

“…This is particularly pertinent in Northern Ireland where there is a differentiation of views between the two main communities on the desirability of a 'truth'-recovery process. Generally speaking, the Protestant/Unionist community is suspicious of 'truth' recovery and perceive it as part of a 'republican agenda' or 'Trojan Horse' and a way to 'bash the state' and discredit the past actions of the security forces (Lundy & McGovern, 2008b;Lundy, 2010, pp. 125-126).…”

“…This prompted another leading loyalist, Jackie McDonald, to say, 'we need to draw a line in the past' (Belfast Telegraph, 2010;Brewer, 2010, pp. 169-171, discusses some of the problems Loyalists have with truth recovery; Lundy & McGovern, 2008b). This opens up a whole range of dilemmas and challenges for the state that go to the heart of transitional justice and how to deal with the past (Lundy, 2010).…”