OUT OF THE DARKNESS
Out of the darkness
PEOPLE'S WILL: The hope that still shines through
THE people have spoken, as never before, and the Irish government has done their bidding, by introducing the kind of anti-terrorist legislation that has always been needed. Why has it taken so long? Because at long last there is a consensus, across the island, for squeezing the remaining advocates of violence out of normal society.
The presence of David Trimble at the same Buncrana Catholic church as President Mary McAleese, as well as nationalist and republican leaders, is symbolic of how the Omagh bombing has touched the whole community in a way that nothing has done previously. It has reached across the divide, because the suffering has been shared on both sides of the border and our political divide. The applause that rang out for the unionist First Minister was a moving demonstration of hope, of a grieving people looking for light at this time of darkness. The Assembly, which Mr Trimble leads, represent the future, that can consign the Real IRA and all its predecessors to history.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, is just one of many, in positions of leadership, who has spoken out with great conviction and passion. He spoke for Protestants as well as Catholics when he said that hearts were filled not only with sadness but with anger and outrage. If the terrorists would not listen to the voice of the ballot box, they should listen to the voice of revulsion, "expressed so clearly and so powerfully and so consistently".
Across the border, Dundalk has been stirred to show the world that it resents the false image of a town that welcomes extreme republicans. Omagh has prompted the residents of Dundalk to show their abhorrence of those in their midst who might try to justify the continuation of the terrorist war. Ordinary people everywhere are expressing themselves more openly than ever before on the subject of terrorism. All over this island, the clarion call is for a peaceful future.
With so much popular support behind him, Bertie Ahern should have little difficulty pushing through a list of measures that will exert genuine pressure on the rump of republican dissidents. The right to remain silent, without penalty, will be withdrawn and the word of a senior policeman will be accepted, without the need for corroborative evidence. Most important, there is a new offence of "directing terrorism" added to the Offences Against the State Act, which should - as it has done here - help to target the godfathers.
Mr Ahern is a man leading a people united in grief and resolve to put a stop to all Omaghs - but he and they must know the moment may not last. As memories fade, it may become less difficult for these and other paramilitaries to argue that if they declare a ceasefire, they should qualify for all the rewards of the Good Friday Agreement.
That is not so, and the two governments must constantly remind all paramilitary groups that the Agreement is a package, requiring movement from their direction, as well as from the politicians. Unless there is progress towards decommissioning and dismantling weaponry, progress in the political sphere will be limited. They must move forward together, in a series of confidence-building measures.
The tragedy of Omagh, following on the deaths of the Quinn children in Ballymoney, has concentrated minds on the necessity for action, on many fronts, to make sure the Agreement is honoured in all its aspects. This is a defining moment for us all. Misguided patriotism and religious bigotry have reared their heads this summer in the most vile fashion. The challenge for everyone is to lift this darkness from our eyes once and for all.
PEOPLE'S WILL: The hope that still shines through
THE people have spoken, as never before, and the Irish government has done their bidding, by introducing the kind of anti-terrorist legislation that has always been needed. Why has it taken so long? Because at long last there is a consensus, across the island, for squeezing the remaining advocates of violence out of normal society.
The presence of David Trimble at the same Buncrana Catholic church as President Mary McAleese, as well as nationalist and republican leaders, is symbolic of how the Omagh bombing has touched the whole community in a way that nothing has done previously. It has reached across the divide, because the suffering has been shared on both sides of the border and our political divide. The applause that rang out for the unionist First Minister was a moving demonstration of hope, of a grieving people looking for light at this time of darkness. The Assembly, which Mr Trimble leads, represent the future, that can consign the Real IRA and all its predecessors to history.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, is just one of many, in positions of leadership, who has spoken out with great conviction and passion. He spoke for Protestants as well as Catholics when he said that hearts were filled not only with sadness but with anger and outrage. If the terrorists would not listen to the voice of the ballot box, they should listen to the voice of revulsion, "expressed so clearly and so powerfully and so consistently".
Across the border, Dundalk has been stirred to show the world that it resents the false image of a town that welcomes extreme republicans. Omagh has prompted the residents of Dundalk to show their abhorrence of those in their midst who might try to justify the continuation of the terrorist war. Ordinary people everywhere are expressing themselves more openly than ever before on the subject of terrorism. All over this island, the clarion call is for a peaceful future.
With so much popular support behind him, Bertie Ahern should have little difficulty pushing through a list of measures that will exert genuine pressure on the rump of republican dissidents. The right to remain silent, without penalty, will be withdrawn and the word of a senior policeman will be accepted, without the need for corroborative evidence. Most important, there is a new offence of "directing terrorism" added to the Offences Against the State Act, which should - as it has done here - help to target the godfathers.
Mr Ahern is a man leading a people united in grief and resolve to put a stop to all Omaghs - but he and they must know the moment may not last. As memories fade, it may become less difficult for these and other paramilitaries to argue that if they declare a ceasefire, they should qualify for all the rewards of the Good Friday Agreement.
That is not so, and the two governments must constantly remind all paramilitary groups that the Agreement is a package, requiring movement from their direction, as well as from the politicians. Unless there is progress towards decommissioning and dismantling weaponry, progress in the political sphere will be limited. They must move forward together, in a series of confidence-building measures.
The tragedy of Omagh, following on the deaths of the Quinn children in Ballymoney, has concentrated minds on the necessity for action, on many fronts, to make sure the Agreement is honoured in all its aspects. This is a defining moment for us all. Misguided patriotism and religious bigotry have reared their heads this summer in the most vile fashion. The challenge for everyone is to lift this darkness from our eyes once and for all.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0136
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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