Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has demanded that the BBC drop Jarlath Burns from their GAA coverage following his disgraceful comments at a rally in Dublin in support of Martin McGuinness, in which he praised the activities of notorious IRA godfather PJ Caraher.

North Antrim MLA Mr Swann, who is his Party’s Culture, Arts & Leisure spokesperson said;

“The BBC are supposed to be neutral as a public service broadcaster, paid for out of the public purse. The GAA website describes it as a sporting and cultural organisation. Neither the BBC nor the GAA benefit from association with Mr Burns following these comments. The GAA can decide for themselves, but the BBC has only one course of action open to it.

In his comments Mr Burns hailed PJ Caraher, a former IRA godfather in south Armagh. To state publicly that “When the British thought that they ruled south Armagh… south Armagh was being ruled from Peter John Caraher’s house.” 

I noted that Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP “security spokesman” sought to pass this off with the comment “I think if Jarlath has apologised for the comments he made, lets hope lessons have been learned.”

I have to say that he has called this one wrong. By Jarlath Burns’ own proud admission, PJ Caraher led the IRA in south Armagh.  He led and directed the people who were responsible for atrocities such as the sectarian murder of five elderly men at Tullyvallen in 1975, ten Protestant workmen at Kingsmills in 1976, the abduction and murder of Charles Armstrong in 1981, the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan in 1987, and the murder of Paul Quinn in 2007. That is how he “ruled” South Armagh. By fear and terror resulting in the blood of innocents.

Jarlath Burns may seek to explain his comments away by claiming “I probably should have scripted it a wee bit better.” The simple fact is that Mr Burns is simply not fit to receive money from BBC licence payers in any capacity and I have written to the BBC to make the feeling of the Ulster Unionist Party clear on this matter. ”