US President Joe Biden has condemned the attempted murder of PSNI officer John Caldwell in Omagh last month.
He quoted Seamus Heaney as he called on the leaders to work together to ensure the Northern Irish Assembly stood back up.
The Detective Chief Inspector suffered life-changing injuries when he was shot in front of his son while placing bags in the boot of his car.
Read More: Parade-goers in stitches as Enoch Burke floats appear all over country
Speaking in Capitol Hill on Friday at the Speaker’s Lunch, Mr Biden remarked that Northern Irish leaders were all at the lunch together.
He called on the Northern Irish leaders to come together to ensure the Northern Irish Assembly is stood back up when the Windsor Framework is put back into place.
He called the Windsor Framework a “vital, vital step”.
President Biden said: “Northern Ireland leaders that are here today, let me say how important it was to see you standing shoulder to shoulder with Chief Constable Byrne after and affirming your commitment in the future, following the attempted murder of a Detective Chief Inspector Caldwell.
“We all have to continue to work to protect peace and stability.
“I just keep reminding my family and anybody near me that I'm a big fan of Seamus Heaney. When he passed away his wife was kind enough to send me a long, handwritten note and a copy of his poems, some of which he had written by hand.
“One of my favourites, he used the phrase and he said, ‘Remember that history says don't hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice rises up and hope and history rhyme.’
“I think we have a chance to make an open history rhyme.
“I think those of us who've been covering this dinner a long time, have never been in a case where from the perspective of the public, the parties in politics have been so divided as it is now.
“But I agree with the speaker, there's no reason why we can't find common ground.
“There's no reason why we can't hope to change this direction and the extremes that both parties are pushing. I think it's important. I think it's really important.
“That’s the power of friendship. I think it's the power and strength of our partnership if we work at it.
“Simply put, I think it's the Irish of it.”
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill, DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson, Colum Eastwood of the SDLP, Doug Beattie of the UUP and Naomi Long of the Alliance Party were all at the lunch, hosted by Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Government must “complete the mission” after the Windsor Framework was drafted between the UK and EU and “help the people of Northern Ireland build a more peaceful and prosperous future."
READ NEXT:
Video shows feared mob boss Cornelius Price ‘had honest living as a gardener’ before his death
Irish punter Paddy 'Mad' Merrigan takes bookies to the cleaners at the Cheltenham Festival
Brooklyn Beckham's wife Nicola says they're in a throuple with Selena Gomez
Leo Varadkar gives update on further energy supports amid cost of living crisis
Bank holidays confirmed in Ireland in 2023 - Full list as March St Patrick’s Day break imminent
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
