Eighteen years on from the ceasefires and the despicable threat of violence is still, unfortunately, a feature within our communities. The recent efforts by so-called dissident republicans to frighten local priest Fr Gary Donegan and in some way to browbeat him into stopping his vital outreach and intervention work has to be regarded not just with revulsion but also collective denial.
Fr Donegan has served the local north Belfast community and beyond and has also spoken out against those who are at war with their own community. He has also given tangible support, guidance and offered alternatives and stability in times of fear.
We, as a civic forum, wholeheartedly believe that his intentions and actions are genuine, real and required in terms of social justice and conflict transformation here. He has certainly not been frightened to stand up for what he believes is right and we commend him for it.
However, any type of threat not just to him but others involved in necessary community-based peace building work – particularly one that has come from dissident republicans – is not just worrying but has to be considered as a disturbing development.
Fr Donegan has been vocal and proactive against those who murdered father of four Michael McGibbon – a man shot and left to bleed to death in an alleyway in Ardoyne.
This extreme form of punishment can never be accepted or tolerated. There is no justification for violent acts and what Fr Donegan displayed was true leadership in standing with Mr McGibbon’s grieving widow. What he did was to call out and condemn those individuals who took a man’s life and shattered a young family – they took a life and he spoke out.
Because of this unstinting act of solidarity the reaction from dissident republicans has been aggressive. They have been publicly condemned over their actions against their own community and have yet again threatened violence.
No-one should be threatened, bullied or intimidated for what they believe in or what they do or indeed be living under death threats in 2016.
Those responsible for and dispensing the myriad of warnings and threats have definitely no interest in the well being of the people of not just Ardoyne but other decent, proud and hard working areas in the north.
We unreservedly support our Civil Society Network colleague Fr Donegan and others working on behalf of their local communities. We stand with Fr Gary and those working to bring about meaningful change in our communities. Not in our name.
BARRY FENNELL
Civil Society Network Steering Group
Belfast BT15
Ireland will always need ‘big brother’ for survival
Given the overwhelming concern being shown by the Republic to a possible British withdrawal from the EU, one can only take the view that the relationship between the Republic and the UK is a highly co-dependent one for the Irish.
The UK is essentially reclaiming its sovereignty from the EU if a yes vote is successful and will be the master of its own future, unlike its dependent small brother in the 26 counties. The Republic will undoubtedly have to deal with a country that is not part of the EU any longer if the referendum is rejected, which may have profound economic, constitutional, and practical implications.
Looking at the bigger picture it does seem as if the Republic is still part of the UK economically – which republicans should note in any bid to form a united Ireland. The same economic concerns would be there in a 32-county Republic. Could the Republic really survive without the UK? The reality is that Ireland is chronically dependent on UK for export trade. In fact, most of its bank capital comes from the UK as was proven by experts at the banking inquiry into Anglo-Irish Bank and other banks.
Republicans like Sinn Féin are surely asking themselves some far-reaching questions at the moment in relation to a possible British pull-out of the EU which will take Northern Ireland with it. These two islands which we all share will always be intrinsically linked to each other because of geography.
It may be academic whether Northern Ireland stays within the UK or become the dream of republicans in a united Ireland, because it will be all down to money in the end and vital trade and service links which are crucial to any country, especially a fledgling Republic only just past its first very difficult centenary.
Hardline republicans may have fought for and are still fighting for the independence of Ireland as a unity state that cannot be independent of its neighbour for economic reasons arguably. No matter what flag is flying over Stormont Ireland will always need its big brother across the way for its survival.
MAURICE FITZGERALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
Tired of anti-SF rants
Sean O’Fiach (June 6) launches his usual anti-Sinn Féin rant and is in danger of starting to believe what he writes.
I may be wrong but I can’t recall ever reading a letter from Sean stating what is the best way to end partition and reunify our country with full independence.
Instead the bold Sean, who I presume is an advocate of a united Ireland, attacks the only all-Ireland party that has as its core ethos the reunification and independence of our country.
Sean appears to be disappointed that a united Ireland can now be achieved through exclusively peaceful means. I’m not and I’m sure most other people and republicans in Ireland are glad that they, their children and neighbours have a peaceful path in which to pursue the freedom of our country.
To claim that the aim of the republican leadership in signing up to agreements was for a quiet and peaceful retirement and their own preservation flies in the face of the facts.
The republican leadership took the hard decisions and one with a vision for the Irish people.
Sean’s letter writing must take a lot out of him in his gallant efforts to end partition. That must be much harder work than engaging with your political enemies and striving on a daily basis to deliver a better quality of life for all the Irish people.
ANNE QUINN
Belfast BT14
Doom-laden prophecies
Watching David Cameron appeal for the remain campaign was an act of a man without a core belief in his own argument; retreating ad nauseam to the default position of project fear, the doom-laden prophecies of wreck and ruin if we are foolish enough to ignore the great and the wise from the financial and political cliques who run the EU club.
Watching this man wring his hands to save us from ourselves was nauseating. His party’s manifesto lies in tatters on migration and benefits.
He pledged EU migrants must live and contribute to the country for a minimum of four years.
What he got was his inability to remove the tapering mechanism to receive benefits when the migrants start to contribute to the system, essentially his deal only denies in-work benefits for one year not four.
All his demands on behalf of the electorate have been met in Europe with the same stymieing and outright rejection. The target of net immigration of 100,000 per year has been exceeded since the day it was introduced.
He has failed spectacularly on the manifesto he was elected on.
It is not racist to openly discuss this issue because it is not the colour of the person coming, but the sheer number which threatens to overwhelm a creaking infrastructure.
The red-tape of Brussels’ bureaucracy must be cut. I just do not believe we have leaders great enough to do so.
LAURENCE TODD
Belfast BT15
No interest in EU debate
I don’t really care what the outcome of the so-called ‘Brexit’ is. As an Irish republican I’d rather see the Irish people debating a British and EU exit from Ireland leaving the Irish people for the first time to determine their own sovereign destiny unhindered by imperialism, colonialism and neoliberalism.
To ponder debate or vote over which form of foreign plutocracy usurps our sovereignty oppressing our people is to me the equivalent of choosing between the frying pan and the fire.
PACKY CARTY
Coalisland, Co Tyrone
