Important not to be distracted from stragetic goal by side issues - Ahern

The peace process should not be diverted by side issues, the Taoiseach said yesterday in an apparent reference to decommissioning. "It is very important today for all of us not to lose sight of the strategic goal, not to get distracted by what are now essentially side issues, to allow, if it has to be, one's opponents empty victories," Mr Ahern said.

He was speaking at the commemoration to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of Capt Noel Lemass, elder brother of the late Taoiseach, Mr Sean Lemass.

About 250 people attended the ceremony at the memorial at Featherbed Mountain on the Killakee road, Co Dublin, the place where Capt Lemass's body was found three months after he disappeared following his detention at the end of Civil War hostilities in 1923.

Among those present at the ceremony, where Mr Ahern laid a wreath, were the former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, his daughter Ms Eimear Mulhearn, and his sons Conor and Sean, who succeeded Mr Haughey as TD for Dublin North Central.

Members of the Government joined Capt Lemass's relatives, who included Mr Sean Lemass's son, Sean; his daughter, Ms Peggy O'Brien, and her husband, Mr Jack O'Brien, a former TD, Ms Eileen Lemass, and Mr Lemass's daughter-in-law.

Mr Ahern said Capt Lemass's death was never used as recrimination against political opponents. "On the contrary, Sean Lemass subsequently worked closely for the good of the country with a prominent person who might have had some responsibility for his death. His attitude is an example in present times to those who, quite naturally, find it difficult to work with those on whatever side who may have been responsible for the deaths of their relatives or comrades."

Among those present were the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, Ministers of State, Mr Chris Flood and Mr Tom Kitt, and the chairman of the parliamentary party and Leas Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, who represented the parliamentary party. A number of TDs attended, including Mr Eoin Ryan, Mr Ben Biscoe and Mr Dick Roche, along with MEP Mr Niall Andrews.