Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill becomes Northern Ireland’s first ever nationalist first minister on a ‘historic day’ after growing up with her father and two cousins ​​in the IRA’s infamous ‘A Team’ to take office

Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill will be sworn in as Northern Ireland’s first ever nationalist first minister this weekend after growing up with her father and two cousins ​​in the IRA’s infamous A-Team. .

The 47-year-old hailed a “historic day” as he vowed to become the first Nationals Minister as devolved government is expected to be restored in Northern Ireland after two years of political collapse.

MLAs will gather at Parliament House in Stormont today for a meeting to appoint ministers to the power-sharing executive and end the impasse.

Ms O’Neill and party leader Mary Lou McDonald represent the new face of Sinn Féin, replacing the bloody old guard led by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.

Although she was only born five years after Bloody Sunday, there is no getting away from the fact that Ms O’Neill was brought up in an IRA household. Her father was an IRA prisoner and her uncle raised money for the IRA.

Two of her cousins ​​were IRA members who were shot dead by security forces, and one died while “on active duty” with the security forces.

Ms O’Neill has also been criticized for saying there was “no alternative” to violence during the unrest, and for attending a large funeral in 2020 during coronavirus restrictions. He has also attended memorial services for former members.

She admires her late father, Brendan Doris, as a “great man” and “a man who was involved in politics and someone I followed.”

But Doris, a roofer who was a local councilor for Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, in the 1990s, was jailed because he belonged to the IRA’s East Tyrone Brigade in the 70s.

The brigade, known locally as the ‘A Team’, was one of the IRA’s most professional and capable units, killing dozens of people in bombing campaigns against army bases and police stations.

Mr O’Neill’s cousin, Tony Doris, 21, was part of a brigade known as the “Assassination Squad” that prepared to assassinate senior security forces officers who were ambushed by the SAS in 1991. His tombstone says he was “killed on active duty.”

Another cousin, Gareth Doris, was part of the cell that threw an explosive-filled device at a police base in Co. Tyrone in 1997. The 19-year-old was shot by anti-terrorism police but survived.

On her first day in office, Ms O’Neill expressed sympathy for the four IRA members who were shot dead by British troops in her hometown of Clonoe, County Tyrone, in the early 1990s.

Ms O’Neill has been lobbying union activists ever since, particularly when she attended King Charles’ coronation last May.

“This is a historic day,” said O’Neill, who made history as the first nationalist to lead Northern Ireland. That’s in the future.

“It’s about working together to serve workers and families, creating new and exciting opportunities to ensure our children and grandchildren achieve their dreams and ambitions in life.”

“As the First Minister for All, I am determined to lead positive change for all and work with others to move society forward in a spirit of respect, cooperation and equality.”

The region’s largest trade union party, the DUP, has agreed to recall its political offices over a deal with the Westminster government. Party leader Sir Geoffrey Donaldson said the deal effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trade border.

Two bills included in the deal quickly passed the House of Commons on Thursday, paving the way for a return to parliament.

Business begins with the election of the Stormont Chair, followed by the nomination of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

With Sinn Féin winning the most seats in the 2022 general election, Mr O’Neill will take on the role of first minister, although the DUP has not announced who will be appointed as deputy first minister. There has been speculation that Emma Little-Pengery could win the role.

A range of ministerial positions across Stormont will then be filled using a don’t mechanism based on party strengths.

Party leaders met at Stormont Castle on Friday to discuss the priorities of the next executive.

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Geoffrey said: “It’s important that we really understand what the priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland when we come to executive meetings.”

“We look forward to Congress meeting and working through the process to restore devolution.”

Key among the new minister’s priorities will be tackling the budget crisis affecting public services across Northern Ireland.

The Government has proposed a £3.3bn package, including £600m to settle public sector pay claims, to secure local finances once Parliament resumes.

However, Sir Jeffrey suggested that both parties intend to work together to secure more funding from the Treasury.

He added: “The financial issue is unfinished business and we intend to finish it.”

Although Sir Jeffrey has the support of a majority of party members to accept the deal, some within the Democratic Unionist Party remain highly skeptical of a deal that would restore power-sharing.

The DUP leader also faces opposition from trade union forces outside the party.

His agreement with the government will replace the Windsor framework’s green lane process at Northern Ireland ports, which requires a certain percentage of goods arriving from the UK to be inspected, with a ‘UK internal market system’ to govern the movement of goods. is promised. Stay within the UK.

Inspections will continue to be carried out, but will be done on a risk-based/information-driven model rather than regular stops of disembarking trucks to combat illegal activity and disease.

Companies using internal market systems must also register with the Trusted Trader Scheme.