IFI to fund talkswith vigilantes

THE International Fund for Ireland (IFI) is happy to fund a job that may involve direct engagement with terrorist vigilantes.
Londonderry self-professed anti-drugs fanatics Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) in a show of strength.Londonderry self-professed anti-drugs fanatics Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) in a show of strength.
Londonderry self-professed anti-drugs fanatics Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) in a show of strength.

Rosemount Resource Centre is recruiting a worker, amongst whose duties is to “engage with threat making agencies...to seek alleviation of immediate threat and agree alternative paths to improvement.” The person’s job will be helping “clients” review their “lifestyle choices and access help and support to change behaviour.” This paper asked if the IFI backed the notion threatened people are blameworthy. “The IFI is not aware of, nor does it endorse, any such suggestion. The IFI funding award for the RRC Peace Impact Programme (PIP) project is to deliver a very specific set of outputs to support and offer new opportunities to young people vulnerable to attack or recruitment by paramilitary organisations,” a spokesman said.

The spokesman continued: “It will provide mediation services, counselling, diversionary activities and training programmes.”

The job specifications for the new position also state they are supposed to work with young people whose “risk taking activities” have brought them to the attention of outside agencies “both legal and non-legal and may have put them in danger of punishment.”

The paper asked if the international funder was satisfied negotiating with paramilitaries was the correct way forward or was there a danger it could legitimise groups such as the ostensibly disbanded Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) or the recently trumpeted reconfiguration of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

A spokesman said the Fund was entirely satisfied that the project aligns with the aims and objectives of the PIP, which is to support creative and innovative approaches to dealing with contentious issues, which are currently beyond the reach of government interventions.

He added: “The letter of offer for this project includes a standard clause, applicable to all IFI funding awards, whereby the applicant agrees not to provide material support or resources to any individual or group engaged in terrorist activity.

“The acceptance of the letter of offer constitutes a legally binding agreement. The Fund does not support nor seek to legitimise the activities of any paramilitary grouping.”