Sinn Féin's MP for North Belfast John Finucane has taken part in an event to commemorate members of the IRA in south Armagh.
Political opponents and some victims’ groups had called on the MP, whose father - solicitor Pat Finucane - was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989, to withdraw from what they said was a glorification of IRA violence.
Several hundred people attended the event at a memorial to 24 members of the South Armagh Brigade of the Provisional IRA in the village of Mullaghbawn.
Those named include suspects in notorious attacks like the killings of 18 members of of the British parachute regiment at Narrow Water in Co Down in August 1979, and those of 10 Protestant workmen at Kingsmills in south Armagh three years earlier.
Mr Finucane was the guest speaker at an event in the village today to commemorate those named.
He told a crowd of several hundred that they "should always cherish our right to remember those who are no longer with us."
Mr Finucane spoke of his family’s loss when his father, solicitor Pat Finucane, was shot dead by loyalists in front of his wife and three young children in 1989, aided by the British security services.
"Those same organisations, within loyalism, the police, the British army and military intelligence, all commemorate, remember and stand with the families of their loved ones and those that they respect," he added.
"Those commemorations take place right across our society and are regularly attended by civic and political representatives. And I will defend, without hesitation, their right to do so.
"There is nothing to celebrate in conflict, or in our difficult and painful past, but to commemorate those we have loved and lost is a right which everyone, including every single one of us gathered here today, is entitled to, and we do so with dignity and with pride."
Political opponents and some victims' groups have said Mr Finucane’s participation in the event made a mockery of Michelle O’Neill’s assertion that she will be a First Minister for all.
Those critics include Kenny Donaldson, a native of Crossmaglen in south Armagh and chair of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), which represents families of victims of republican and loyalist paramilitaries.
"John Finucane is supposed to represent the next generation, he himself had his own father murdered as a result of terrorism, and if he could not show any level of affinity in connection with others whose loved ones were murdered by those very men who will be remembered today, then I just don’t know where we are going," he said.
He said it was wrong for anyone to attempt to justify the violence of the Troubles.
"It doesn’t only relate to today, it relates to all events where terrorism will be commemorated, or indeed where members of the security forces who dishonoured the code and engaged in criminal activity, all of that is absolutely wrong," he added.
While Mr Finucane has been criticised by unionists in Northern Ireland for speaking at the commemoration, he told the crowd that republicans need to reach to all sections of the community to achieve the reunification of Ireland.
"I believe that we will see unity referendums within this decade," he said.
"To win these referendums, and win them well, republicans will have to reach out, create space for others and build alliances right across society.
"The challenge for republicans now is to build and broaden support for Irish unity."
DUP criticism
In a weekend message to party members, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson reiterated his criticism of Mr Finucane.
"Challenging Sinn Féin's attempts to rewrite history is not about being stuck in the past, rather it is about respecting the sons, daughters, mothers and fathers who were cruelly murdered by balaclava wearing IRA terrorists," he wrote.
"I will use every fibre of my body to stop Northern Ireland ever being gripped by the terrorism of the 1970s, 80s and 90s but part of that is honestly reflecting the barbarity of taking 12 innocent workmen from a van in (Kingsmills) South Armagh.
"The one Catholic was told to run away and the remaining 11 Protestants were lined up and shot with only one surviving to tell the story.
"That is the truth about the Provisional IRA in South Armagh.
"I am mindful that those listed on the 'South Armagh Roll of Honour' have family who grieve.
"They have the right to remember, as do we all. This is not the problem, but rewriting history or eulogising terrorism most certainly is.
"Celebrating anyone's membership of the IRA or any other terror group is wrong. Violence or the threat of violence has no place in politics."
Mr Donaldson added: "We challenge this narrative of the past because failure to do so will aid some misled young people to think violence in some cases is honourable and justifiable.
"The Sinn Féin leadership have a responsibility to honestly address the role of violence in Irish politics.
"Unless this fundamental is tackled, there will always be a mindset which believes if their objective is not being advanced electorally or politically, then violence must be the only path to progress."
With additional reporting by PA
