The impending centenary of Northern Ireland presents a perfect opportunity for both the DUP and Sinn Féin to reassure their respective supporters they are, if only metaphorically, still “fighting the good fight”. If nothing else, as the next election looms, no doubt both sets of electoral strategists will be busy sharpening their pencils and harvesting useful sound bites.
Clearly for Sinn Féin a realistic appraisal of the recent version of the Troubles is, in Zhou En-lai’s famous words, too soon. After all, to concede those dreadful years 1968 through 1998 were wasted, and indeed counterproductive, by allowing unionists to present themselves as victims, might be too difficult to contemplate for many, if not most, republicans. But one wonders, what about the legacy of those tumultuous years post-1916, can an honest debate happen now and lay to rest, some of the ghosts that still haunt us?
Realities of size and resources suggests the only sensible option, for those determined to resort to violence, was to use the guerrilla tactics of hit-and-run. The problem was inevitably the resultant reprisals fell on the innocent. In truth the Black and Tans were as much Michael Collins’s creation as by Lloyd George. It was, after all, the death and destruction directed by Collins which provoked reprisal responses from the Tans. Cynically tit-for-tat reprisals gave Collins a win-win, simultaneously undermining British authority while reaping greater popular support as horrific reprisals escalated in response.
Here in the north things were more complicated. Much is made of the failure of the Boundary Commission, especially the decision to leave Derry and Crossmaglen on the wrong side of the border. However, regardless of such tinkering, more than 100,000 Catholics would always be marooned in Belfast, permanent hostages to fortune. Lisburn to this day still reflects the bitter legacy of Collins’s acting as judge, jury and executioner, by proxy, of DI Oswald Swanzy by his ‘shoot-and-scoot’ brigade, causing most of the Catholic population to be driven from the town.
Looking back one might argue the real heroes were those no doubt very frightened nationalists, who after every atrocity got up, dressed and went out to a hostile work environment to face another day of fear and, if lucky, just intimidation. Republicans then abandoned us all, because, as with Brexit 100 years later, they had their principles, and participating in political debate, defending voters’ interests didn’t suit them.
FRANK HENNESSEY
Belfast BT9
Help keep children safe in sport
When deciding on which sports club their child may join, a parent might find out how expensive sessions are, research a team’s success rate, or ask other families about their experiences with the club.
One area that can sometimes be overlooked is safeguarding and that’s concerning. It’s not uncommon for parents with children at sports clubs to say they have never received any safeguarding information and many admit to not actively seeking it out either. Without it, parents are less able to recognise and report abuse or risky behaviour within a sports setting, something which we now know is vital in terms of a holistic approach from adults in preventing abuse.
The NSPCC’s Parents in Sport Week aims to highlight the important role parents play in youth sport, from helping to keep children safe, to encouraging them to take part and achieve. We know parents play a critical role in youth sport. In fact, without parental support and involvement it’s likely that youth sport would cease to exist. We also know that without parents’ involvement in their child’s sport, children are less likely to achieve and sustain a lifelong interest in sport and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Parents in Sport Week is important because it encourages parents to make sure they are positively influencing their child’s involvement and wellbeing. We are encouraging all parents to make the Sports Parents Promise to check they know the sort things they can do to help keep their child safe in sport.
Every sports club and activity provider should have a welfare or safeguarding officer as well as a safeguarding policy and the NSPCC is encouraging every parent to find out who to contact in their children’s sport if they have any questions or concerns.
To find out abut the Sports Parents Promise and keep up to date with the latest news from the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit please visit www.nspcc.org.uk
PAUL STEPHENSON
NSPCC Northern Ireland
Majella’s truth keeps marching on
THE Irish News performed an important service with its article on Majella O’Hare – ‘A girl shot in the back by a British soldier was treated like a piece of meat, an eyewitness said’ (October 6).
The article reminds us of one of the most awful murders of an individual by the British army in Northern Ireland – the 1976 murder of a beautiful little 12-year old girl. Her killing is reminiscent of the murder of Emmett Till – the 14-year-old African-American boy who was murdered by White racists in Mississippi in 1955. And just as his murder has echoed down the years in its call for justice and the rejection of the evil of racism, Majella’s truth keeps marching on – never to be forgotten – and which can never be defeated even by one of the most powerful armies in the world.
Majella’s case is one of the many cases I worked on with the late Fr Denis Fauland Fr Raymond Murray – distributing information to the US Congress that was contained in a pamphlet they both wrote on Majella’s murder. And, on August 15, I had the honour of ‘meeting’ Majella’s brother Michael on a Zoom meeting hosted by Stephen Travers and
Eugene Reavey.
So, Majella is having the last word – her truth keeps marching on. God rest her beautiful soul and God bless her entire extended family.”
FR SEAN McMANUS
President, Irish National Caucus, Washington DC
Precious Life rally will be going ahead as planned
Regarding a letter published in The Irish News on Thursday October 1 from TJ Hardy in relation to our annual March for their Lives Rally due to take place on Saturday October 24 we wish to make the following clear.
Due to present circumstances our event this year will not take the usual format. It will consist not of one large moving rally but of small province-wide stationary life chains. These will run in conjunction with a live streamed event with keynote-speakers. In line with coronavirus regulations guidance, Precious Life is presently carrying out a risk assessment on each location. This information will be given to the assigned coordinator for each area who will be responsible to share this with all attendees. On this basis there is no limit on the number able to attend each life chain. We will do our utmost to ensure all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of Covid-19 are adhered to.
We’re disappointed TJ Hardy did not approach Precious Life with his concerns. We would have been happy to clarify our position. Our event will be going ahead as planned.
BERNADETTE SMYTH
Director, Precious Life
