Kenny Donaldson of Innocent Victims United (IVU), which represents victims of a wide range of groups, was speaking after Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said the IRA had apologized for its shares.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 over the weekend, Ms McDonald was told Sinn Fein refused to apologize for past IRA killings.

She replied: “I would say this first of all, that the IRA itself has apologized for its actions and it is up to them. There are many, many people from all traditions who suffered at the hands of the IRA… but also at the hands of loyalist paramilitary groups and murderous gangs, at the hands of British soldiers and many, many people who bear the scars I have described.”

But Mr Donaldson said his comments were ‘absolutely dishonest’.

He said: ‘And no matter how much she and the Sinn Fein leadership may seek to create blue water between Sinn Fein and PIRA for political gain, Sinn Fein politics continue to be led by the Provisional IRA Army Council – as confirmed by both the PSNI Chief Constable and Commissioner of the Garda. »

He added that the IRA‘s ‘so-called apology’ in 2002 was only aimed at ‘non-combatants’ and nowhere acknowledged ‘the wrongful or illegitimate nature of the campaign’.

“The Provisional Irish Republican Movement continues to praise, glorify and excuse the violence of the ‘Past’, he said, “and their actions since the 2002 ‘Apology’ have overshadowed those choreographed words and dishonest”.

DUP MP Diane Dodds said Ms McDonald’s comment “reeks of arrogance”.

In 1996 the IRA opened fire on her and her husband, DUP peer Nigel, in a ward of Belfast’s Hospital for Sick Children, where their son was seriously ill. They were saved by their police bodyguard, but no Sinn Fein representative has yet told them the attack was “disgusting”, she said.

Instead, they “celebrated” the IRA and refused to condemn its terrorism. She also cited the IRA killings at Enniskillen, La Mon, Teebane, Claudy, Portadown and Banbridge.

The families are still scarred to this day, but Sinn Fein blocked a scheme that would have given them recognition of payment for suffering, she added.

In July 2002, the IRA issued an ‘apology’ for ‘Bloody Friday’ in which it claimed it was ‘not our intention to injure or kill non-combatants’; However, the July 1972 attack saw him detonate 21 bombs around Belfast in an hour, killing nine and injuring 130. The statement also referred to “all non-combatant deaths and injuries” caused by the IRA, adding: “We extend our sincere apologies and condolences to their families.”

However, three years later the IRA issued a new statement marking this era adding: “We reiterate our view that armed struggle was entirely legitimate”.

The reference work Lost Lives indicates that the IRA killed 644 civilians; 456 Army/RAF/RN; 273 RUC; 182 USD; 163 Republicans and 28 Loyalists.

Sinn Fein was asked to comment.