DOVE WHO BECAME A HAWK
Dove who became a hawk
FRANCIS MACKEY, the Omagh councillor under fire as the town's public face of dissident republicanism, was ironically regarded as a Sinn Fein "dove" by many of his political opponents. The leading light in the diehard 32-County Sovereignty Committee also confirmed that his 19-year-old son was one of five people arrested by the RUC last Monday and questioned about the bomb. Shane Mackey, a student, was released on Friday. But the Mackey family, besieged by the media, left their plush four-bedroomed bungalow in a new development at Mountfield, six miles out of town.
Earlier in the week his wife told reporters: "I don't know where he is. When he tells me what he is doing, I'll tell you. When are you going to stop.
Many unionists and nationalists alike in Omagh were surprised when Mr Mackey, a former chairman of the council, joined the dissident 32 County group last November. DUP stalwart Oliver Gibson says: "I have sat opposite the seven Sinn Fein men in the council chamber for years and I regard every one of them as a serious enemy. "But I had regarded Francis Mackey as one of the doves on the Sinn Fein side."
Surprise
Mr Gibson, who lost his niece, Esther, a Sunday school teacher, in Saturday's blast, added: "I was surprised when he joined the 32 County Group. "I have always found him to be an able and conscientious councillor. Mr Mackey's political future was thrown into doubt following last Saturday's outrage. He refused to use the word "condemn" in relation to the bomb. But he did say the blast could not be justified.
Later, Mr Mackey issued a statement to the local Press, saying: "Contrary to reports that I did not condemn this terrible tragedy, may I say this is not true. "He added: "I totally condemn Saturday's atrocity."
FRANCIS MACKEY, the Omagh councillor under fire as the town's public face of dissident republicanism, was ironically regarded as a Sinn Fein "dove" by many of his political opponents. The leading light in the diehard 32-County Sovereignty Committee also confirmed that his 19-year-old son was one of five people arrested by the RUC last Monday and questioned about the bomb. Shane Mackey, a student, was released on Friday. But the Mackey family, besieged by the media, left their plush four-bedroomed bungalow in a new development at Mountfield, six miles out of town.
Earlier in the week his wife told reporters: "I don't know where he is. When he tells me what he is doing, I'll tell you. When are you going to stop.
Many unionists and nationalists alike in Omagh were surprised when Mr Mackey, a former chairman of the council, joined the dissident 32 County group last November. DUP stalwart Oliver Gibson says: "I have sat opposite the seven Sinn Fein men in the council chamber for years and I regard every one of them as a serious enemy. "But I had regarded Francis Mackey as one of the doves on the Sinn Fein side."
Surprise
Mr Gibson, who lost his niece, Esther, a Sunday school teacher, in Saturday's blast, added: "I was surprised when he joined the 32 County Group. "I have always found him to be an able and conscientious councillor. Mr Mackey's political future was thrown into doubt following last Saturday's outrage. He refused to use the word "condemn" in relation to the bomb. But he did say the blast could not be justified.
Later, Mr Mackey issued a statement to the local Press, saying: "Contrary to reports that I did not condemn this terrible tragedy, may I say this is not true. "He added: "I totally condemn Saturday's atrocity."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/045
Published Date: 23-Aug-98
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