Home Office must stamp out glorification of terrorism

Carla Lockhart MP • March 14, 2023

DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and DUP Legacy spokesperson Emma Little-Pengelly MLA have spoken out after days of Sinn Fein eulogising convicted terrorist Rita O'Hare upon her death. 


Carla Lockhart MP challenged Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris to take forward measures at Westminster to outlaw the glorification of terror. In his response, the Secretary of State said this was a devolved matter.


Emma Little-Pengelly said, 


"Rita O'Hare was an "On the Run". She was wanted for serious terrorist activity in Northern Ireland. The victims of her actions remain without justice. She was a convicted terrorist who remained deeply proud of her actions until her death. To see these actions lifted up and praised will have caused much hurt to victims of terrorism across all communities. 


Everyone has a right to mourn loss and remember however a funeral should not be an event to glorify evil activities. Sinn Fein have used the opportunity to eulogise and praise criminal and terrorist activity. Just a few weeks after condemning the terrorism of others, this hypocrisy is galling to the thousands of victims of IRA terrorism and of all such acts from whatever paramilitary organisations.”


Carla Lockhart said:


“I challenged the Secretary of State to outline what the Government intends to do to stop the glorification of terrorism. For the Secretary of State to wash his hands and say “it’s a devolved matter” is pathetic and shameful. This is the same government who has legislated on a swathe of fully devolved matters. 


On each occasion that republican or loyalist bloodshed is glorified, victims weep and are re-traumatised. Clearly this is not something that resonates with the NIO given the Secretary of State’s dismissive and incorrect answer.


The Government need explore further legislation to take these ghoulish events off our streets. It wouldn’t be accepted in London by Islamic terrorists, it shouldn’t be acceptable here by Republican terrorists.


The DUP has sought to introduce legislation in parliament to outlaw the glorification of terrorism. It is high time the Government stepped up and called this out but also took action to stop it. A society that hero worships and glorifies the terrorism of the past is destined to create terrorists in the future.


Rewriting history is a huge danger which is why I was equally disappointed and concerned to see the BBC NI website initially headline this terrorist as a “Sinn Fein strategist”. It will be interesting to see how BBC NI reports the self-proclaimed “first minister for all” carrying a terrorist’s coffin and being present whilst the terrorist was eulogised and exalted.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
The Labour government is in crisis and facing mounting pressure to climbdown on its proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the UK Government to ensure that parents of premature babies are properly supported through parental leave entitlements and has urged Northern Ireland to follow suit with legislative progress that reflects the unique challenges these families face.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart has today issued a scathing criticism of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his dismissive response to serious concerns raised in Parliament about the impact of the Windsor Framework on local businesses.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the organisers, volunteers, and local community following a highly successful Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Vintage Cavalcade held in Waringstown.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly criticised the Infrastructure Minister following the latest announcement of part-time 20mph speed limits outside schools with not a single school in Upper Bann included in the new tranche.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has paid tribute to the warmth and generosity of the Waringstown community following her visit to a special coffee morning hosted by Evelyn Hall in memory of her late husband, Mervyn, on what would have been his birthday.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly criticised the Infrastructure Minister following the latest announcement of part-time 20mph speed limits outside schools with not a single school in Upper Bann included in the new tranche.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 1, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly condemned the Government’s handling of today’s welfare reform debate, describing the scenes in the House of Commons as “pantomime politics at its best.” The debate on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit Bill was marked by confusion, with significant policy changes announced live from the despatch box, leaving MPs reacting to legislation that was changing before their eyes.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 1, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is appealing to livestock farmers in Northern Ireland to remain vigilant as the threat from Bluetongue disease increases.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 26, 2025
Upper Bann MP and DUP Westminster Agriculture Spokesperson Carla Lockhart has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons opposing the enforcement of burdensome EU regulations on the movement of used agricultural and forestry machinery from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
More Posts