{"id":876431,"date":"2026-04-06T19:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/876431\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T19:30:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:30:02","slug":"jim-allister-complains-that-ni-executive-x-account-was-used-to-promote-republican-terrorism-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/876431\/","title":{"rendered":"Jim Allister complains that NI Executive X account was used to \u2018promote republican terrorism\u2019 \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jim Allister has accused the NI Executive X account of being used to \u201cpromote republican terrorism\u201d following posts about First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill\u2019s attendance at the Easter Rising<\/a> commemoration in Dublin.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s events marking the 110th anniversary of 1916 uprising against British rule was led President Catherine Connolly and attended by Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin<\/a>, T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris, Defence Minister Helen McEntee and Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n

First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill has attended the annual Easter Rising commemoration event in Dublin. <\/p>\n

The ceremony, which was led by President Catherine Connolly, marked the 110th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. pic.twitter.com\/0pOw8cFFPM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NI Executive (@niexecutive) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

More than 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces took part in the proceedings, which saw Capt Eva Houlihan read the proclamation of Irish Republic at the GPO, where President Connolly also laid a wreath.<\/p>\n

But Mr Allister took issue with the first minister\u2019s attendance being posted by the joint Stormont leaders\u2019 official X (formerly Twitter) account.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/a>\"Jim<\/a><\/p>\n

The TUV leader <\/a>said \u201cunionists are participating in a government which allows the official Executive platform to be used in this way\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnionists need to answer a very simple question: what is the point of being in government if the official Northern Ireland Executive account can be used to promote republican terrorism?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe DUP have repeatedly told the public that nothing happens within the Executive Office without Emma Little-Pengelly\u2019s approval. They point to supposed unionist safeguards and vetoes. So who authorised this post? Will it now be removed? And if Unionists cannot prevent this, what exactly are they in government to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Allister claimed the NI Executive account \u201cwas used to highlight an event rooted in a tradition of murder, violence and bloodshed\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere should be no ambiguity about what was being endorsed. Michelle O\u2019Neill herself stated: \u2018Today, we remember the generations of Irish men and women who devoted their lives to the cause of freedom.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was not simply about Pearse, Connolly and Clarke\u2014grave as that would be. It was about a tradition later claimed by those responsible for La Mon, Enniskillen, Kingsmill and countless other atrocities which filled graves with innocent people across Ulster.”<\/p>\n

The North Antrim MP said the public was entitled to \u201cclear answers\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho approved this, why it was approved, and what unionists in government are now going to do about it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in MLA Deirdre Hargey described Mr Allister\u2019s remarks as a \u201cthrowback\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Easter, we remember the many Irish republicans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of Irish freedom,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cInspired by their sacrifices and their commitment we look forward with confidence and determination to building a new, inclusive, tolerant, and united Ireland.<\/p>\n

\u201cJim Allister needs to come to terms with the reality that the days of unionist domination are gone and are never coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n