Sinn Féin criticises Irish govt for saying ministers will attend cross-party partition service

Sinn Féin has expressed disagreement with the Irish government’s decision to send two ministers to a centenary service in Armagh later this month.

The church service will coincide with the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland in 1921.

Asked on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland if the Irish government should send ministers to the event, Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty replied: “No. President Higgins was absolutely right in deciding not to attend that event.

“There are many ways in which we can forward the issues of reconciliation across the island of Ireland. Sinn Féin have been party to them including different events including meeting Queen Elizabeth in the past. But this isn’t about reconciliation. This is about commemorating partition, an act that had a devastating impact on our country.”

Speaking ahead of a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin on Friday, Sinn Féin deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said: “I think it’s the wrong call.”

President Higgins was initially expected to attend but has since declined an invitation. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney and government chief whip Jack Chambers will attend in his place.

The SDLP has said it will be attending, while Sinn Féin confirmed it would not.

Last month, Catholic and Protestant church leaders said they had been saddened by “the polarised political commentary” around the service they organised that is set to be held at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland cathedral on 21 October.