Despite anger at the injustice done to Malachy McAllister, we cannot overlook all he won and what can still be won for him. Senators, congressmen, cardinals, police chiefs and Irish American leaders did not back a criminal. In America over a quarter of a century Malachy became, through no wish of his own, a living reminder of British injustice. Americans will now use his case to fight his unjust deportation.
Malachy McAllister was a political prisoner decades ago, in a war now long over. He and his children were targeted for assassination by the forces of British law and order, using loyalist agents.
Once America welcomed those who fled British rule under such circumstances, and benefited from the political ability, hard work and leadership they contributed. Malachy’s deportation was un-American, violating historic American tradition.
Few individuals could have inspired the support needed to keep Malachy in America so long. Senators Menendez, Schumer, Congressmen King, Engel, Smith, Neal and Pascrell among others personally intervened. Cardinal Dolan called the president. Many law enforcement and military officials appealed for him. The Irish Embassy backed him. The AOH and other Irish organisations campaigned for him. Malachy became a leading AOH member fighting for others.
Americans saw his children who stood with Malachy as he walked to the federal building for deportation and remembered they too were targets for bullets fired into their Belfast home.
Americans saw a man honoured as an aide to former Police Chief Ray Kelley on St Patrick’s Day and remembered this same man was imprisoned for fighting against the RUC in the circumstances of the 1981 Hunger Strike.
Americans saw a man who built successful businesses, employing others and remembered the sectarian system which denied him such opportunities.
Malachy has multiple grounds which should have entitled him to legal permanent residence under American law. The Good Friday and Weston Park agreements were said to hold promises for ex-prisoners which were never kept.
Malachy McAllister became a political pawn, in Britain’s game of criminalisation. The British want to brand republicans as criminals. In the north they manipulate definitions of victim to disqualify injured republican ex-prisoners from conflict pensions. Here Britain wants an American rubber stamp on criminalisation through deportations and visa denial.
Already Eliot Engel has become the first member of Congress calling for moves to reverse Malachy’s deportation. Such a campaign could be the start of a bigger victory for Malachy McAllister and for justice.
MARTIN GALVIN
New York
There are more things in life to worry about than ‘politically incorrect’ comedy
I was intrigued by the article by Tom Kelly OBE (June 15) regarding ‘politically incorrect’ comedy.
I was reminded somewhat of those Punch Magazine cartoons from the 19th century depicting the Irish as either feckless, stupid, drunk or as wild apes. Wouldn’t it be great if they were to be re-published? I also thought about the Irish jokes we had to endure on The Comedians, which was broadcast in the 1970s.
Sure let’s have that on again to get us through the lockdown. There were also those episodes of EastEnders portraying Ireland with ‘pigs in the parlour’ and which prompted a letter of complaint to the BBC from the then Irish ambassador to the UK.
Surely the ambassador should have taken a chill pill?
Mr Kelly specifically referred to ‘The Germans’ episode of Fawlty Towers. Having worked in England for 22 years I’d like to advise him that there are quite a few people that I met who didn’t realise that Cleese was lampooning the English.
As far as they were concerned the episode was in the vein of the ‘two world wars and one World Cup’ chant that can be heard from English fans when playing Germany. Given the amount of chaos in the world regarding racism, Covid 19 and right-wing populism,
I wondered if this was all Mr Kelly had to be concerned about.
Like Johnson’s pledge to ‘defend Churchill’s statue’ the issue is a distraction from what is really going on.
DANNY BOYD
Newtownabbey, Co Antrim
Fight for fair start for fathers
It’s a sad truth that the mental health of new fathers is too often overlooked. The first year of a baby’s life is such a critical time, but without the right support, mental health issues can make it difficult for fathers to care for and connect with their baby. This can potentially affect a child’s overall development as well as have a lasting impact on fathers themselves.
As families yesterday celebrated Father’s Day I want to highlight how before lockdown up to 1 in 10 dads experienced mental health issues in the period during pregnancy and a year after the birth of their child. As well as experiencing difficulties with their own mental health and managing the pressures that come with being a new parent, some new fathers need to support the mum with any mental health problems they might face. Since the Covid-19 crisis and social isolation measures, families have been left without their usual support networks and fathers may struggle to access the support they need, intensifying feelings of stress and anxiety.
As we mark International Father’s Mental Health Day we welcome the Department of Health announcement that specialist perinatal mental health services will be developed in Northern Ireland – one of our key calls from the Fight for a Fair Start campaign. Our Fight for a Fair Start campaign continues in Northern Ireland so that every father, as well as every mum, every baby and every family gets a fair start in life.
ORLA O’HAGAN
NSPCC, Northern Ireland
Banner is not ‘sectarian’
The Irish News is wrong to describe the ‘Anti-British GAA’ banner put up by unionists near a north Belfast park as ‘sectarian’.
The banner does not mention any religion, so it’s not sectarian.
Unionists can’t be blamed for believing the GAA to be an anti-British organisation.
Until recently members of the British armed forces were banned from membership.
The soccer, rugby or cricket governing bodies never banned IRA volunteers from joining their organisations.
Not so long ago GAA players who took part or even attended a soccer match were barred from hurling and football. Soccer, rugby and cricket never cared what other sports were played or watched by their members.
IRA volunteer Sean O Faoileain used caution against overtly ethnic nationalism and close allegiance to the Catholic Church before he became disillusioned with the ‘Free State’ version of republicanism and emigrated to the US.
MICHAEL O’FLYNN
Friars Walk, Co Cork
