GOOD BELIEVES BROTHER WAS BOMB VICTIM
Good believes brother was bomb victim
METHODIST minister, the Rev Harold Good, one of two clergymen who witnessed the decommissioning of IRA weapons, believes his brother was an 'unofficial' victim of the Omagh bombing.
Speaking in an interview just days after he and Catholic priest Father Alec Reid watched the Provisionals disarm their vast arsenal, he explained how his brother Peter - also a Methodist minister - was due to retire from his church in Omagh several weeks after the blast which killed 29 people and two unborn babies.
However, Peter, who had decided to stay on an extra year to help with the aftermath of suffering, then died suddenly three weeks before his postponed retirement.
Mr Good insisted it was the bomb that killed his brother.
"Ministers have to absorb grief and pain," he said.
During the interview, Mr Good also referred to his role in bringing about the IRA apology which came on the 30th anniversary of Bloody Friday.
"I was approached by Tom Donnolly, whose sister, Margaret O'Hare, was among the nine people killed during a 20-bomb spree on July 21, 1972," the minister said.
"I insisted he accompany me to meet highly placed republicans who were clearly impressed by the way Tom asked for an apology.
"However, some people felt it was partial, because they apologised for civilian deaths, or that they thought it was attached to some political initiative."
Working with prisoners and their families (loyalist and republican) over the years, allowed Mr Good to develop strong personal relationships and trust.
Following the furore surrounding who appointed him and Fr Alec Reid as independent witnesses, and in particular DUP leader Ian Paisley's scepticism, Mr Good remains resolute.
"I was asked to witness the IRA decommission their weapons. What else could my answer be?" he said.
METHODIST minister, the Rev Harold Good, one of two clergymen who witnessed the decommissioning of IRA weapons, believes his brother was an 'unofficial' victim of the Omagh bombing.
Speaking in an interview just days after he and Catholic priest Father Alec Reid watched the Provisionals disarm their vast arsenal, he explained how his brother Peter - also a Methodist minister - was due to retire from his church in Omagh several weeks after the blast which killed 29 people and two unborn babies.
However, Peter, who had decided to stay on an extra year to help with the aftermath of suffering, then died suddenly three weeks before his postponed retirement.
Mr Good insisted it was the bomb that killed his brother.
"Ministers have to absorb grief and pain," he said.
During the interview, Mr Good also referred to his role in bringing about the IRA apology which came on the 30th anniversary of Bloody Friday.
"I was approached by Tom Donnolly, whose sister, Margaret O'Hare, was among the nine people killed during a 20-bomb spree on July 21, 1972," the minister said.
"I insisted he accompany me to meet highly placed republicans who were clearly impressed by the way Tom asked for an apology.
"However, some people felt it was partial, because they apologised for civilian deaths, or that they thought it was attached to some political initiative."
Working with prisoners and their families (loyalist and republican) over the years, allowed Mr Good to develop strong personal relationships and trust.
Following the furore surrounding who appointed him and Fr Alec Reid as independent witnesses, and in particular DUP leader Ian Paisley's scepticism, Mr Good remains resolute.
"I was asked to witness the IRA decommission their weapons. What else could my answer be?" he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0982
Published Date: 04-Oct-05
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