https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/naomi-long-hits-out-idea-31937247

James Martin McCarthy Political Reporter11:41, 26 Jun 2025Justice Minister Naomi Long(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

Justice Minister Naomi Long has said she believes the idea that paramilitaries can transition to become law-abiding entities has "long since passed the point of credibility".

The Minister was responding to a written question from SDLP MLA Cara Hunter, who had asked for her assessment of comments made by former Alliance leader Lord Alderdice.

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Speaking in an interview with BBC Spotlight earlier this month, the former Alliance leader said there comes a point when you have to say, "No, this hasn't been delivered, it's not going to be delivered, and by continuing, we are making it worse."

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Responding to the question, the Justice Minister said: "I understand and share many of the concerns expressed by Lord Alderdice. We must be honest about where progress has been made in the fight against paramilitarism and where it has not.

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"Whilst some former paramilitaries have disengaged from their previous offending, other paramilitary groups have already transitioned — not into peaceful civic actors, but into organised criminal gangs.

"The idea that paramilitary groups can transition and become coherent, law-abiding entities has, in my view, long since passed the point of credibility. Continuing to treat them as though they are on a path to reform risks legitimising their influence and undermining public confidence in the rule of law.

by Reasonable_Edge2411

11 comments

  1. INLA transitioned into a local Trinidad dance group, Irish National Limbo association

  2. We have names of individuals involved with these paramilitaries in news articles all the time. About how they’re “community workers” and are “respected” amongst people living around them. That completely normalises them.

    A stand really needs to be made to completely get rid of them, they’re a stain to the ordinary person. Fuck them.

  5. What would a “law-abiding” paramilitary organisation do exactly? UDA foodbank? Provo choir?

  6. >Justice Minister Naomi Long has said she believes the idea that paramilitaries can transition to become law-abiding entities has “long since passed the point of credibility”.

    i’m glad that a current senior politician is pointing this obvious fact out but where is the pressure on the DUP & Unionist politicians to address the loyalist paramilitaries lack of disbandment & continued recruitment and criminal gang activities?

  8. How are Loyalists being motivated to transition away from their past when they’re literally being funded by Unionist politicians to continue their domination of working-class Protestant areas?

    Bigger bonfires than ever, more flags than ever, more Loyalist band parades than ever, more ostentatious murals, no-strings-attached funding for front groups and “community representatives”. Exhibit A: a new Loyalist flute band being set up in the Shore Road area, a plain statement that “this is a PUL area and it’s staying that way”.

  9. Didn’t the Provisional IRA manage a successful transition into peaceful politics?

  10. If it’s good enough for Gerry it’s good enough for Terry

  11. They had that chance after St Andrew’s at the latest. They’re a mafia now and should be locked up as such

Comments are closed.