THE singular message emerging from the conflicting voices within political unionism at this time is their opposition to the election of a Sinn Féin First Minister. Whatever other differences there may be between the different strands of unionism on other issues like how to oppose the Protocol, on this they are united. In part this is because a republican First Minister exposes the very basis of a northern state which was always intended to be ruled by unionism in the interests of unionism and to the exclusion of all others. But it also challenges the core, fundamental conviction of many unionists who believe that they have the right to veto any decision or outcome that is not in their interests. Including the democratic outcome of an election. The Assembly election in May provides an opportunity to challenge this undemocratic, biased and discriminatory philosophy. Will there be a republican First Minister? I don’t know. That’s for the people to decide. And whatever they decide
Scene of double murder in Buntings House. Ronnie Bunting and Noel Lyttle were shot dead by unknown assasins
Well-placed security sources revealed that within 48 hours of the slaughter, Courtney, who died in 2018, was debriefed by Billy Mooney, the head of the RUC s Regional Crime Squad, during a meeting at the Shaw s Bridge beauty spot.
Courtney s warning had been passed to senior officers, yet Bunting (32) was still gunned down alongside his INLA associate Noel Little (45, left).
His wife Suzanne Bunting was also badly wounded as she tried to fight off the assassins.
Her solicitor Kevin Winters, who is challenging government attempts to block a new inquest into the double murder, said: State collusion with the security forces doesn t really begin to describe what was an obvious State-directed killing against Ronnie Bunting.