DONEMANA HOSTS VICTIM'S MEETING
Donemana hosts victims' meeting
VICTIMS' group, West Tyrone Voice (WTV) is to visit Donemana on Tuesday for a public meeting.
The meeting, to be held in the local Presbyterian Church hall at 8 p.m., will mark the first time the group has met in Donemana.
The village has suffered at the hands of republican paramilitaries during 30 years of violence.
Young William Temple (16), a milkman's helper, was murdered when three bombs exploded in Claudy on July 31, 1972, and, five years later, the village was again plunged into grief when Const. Kenneth Lynch (22), youngest brother of Hazlett Lynch, project co-ordinator WTV, was murdered along with two RUC colleagues on June 2, 1977, near Ardboe in County Tyrone.
Then UDR soldier, Johnny McKeegan (49), was shot dead in Strabane by IRA gunmen on November 19, 1981. In the Omagh bomb, families from the district suffered loss and injury.
WTV says the main purpose of the meeting is to raise the whole issue of the "genocide" of pro-union people.
Mr. Bertie Campbell, Lurgan, will make a presentation of his analysis of the current situation, and some of the facts that he will publish will make for spine-chilling listening.
"There is a great need for clear analysis of the situation that is facing the country at present and prounion people owe it to themselves to get as fully gemmed up as possible so that they can make a responsible contribution to the debate," spokesman Dr. Hazlett Lynch, said this week.
"The promotion of terrorists in government, the destruction of the RUC, the flouting and breaking of the rules agreed by
the Assembly, the removal of the insignia of Britishness from our province, the discrediting of justice issues, etc., have all caused unspeakable hurt to those whose loved-ones were brutally murdered by republicans.
"What adds insult to injury is the IRA's proposal to cut a new service medal for IRA death squad members.
"For murderers to be honoured for their evil deeds simply defies logic. Are they saying, The war is over?' or are they merely seeking to promote further recruits to their terrorist organisation? Whatever the explanation, they are employing in your face tactics to intimidate and threaten the peace-loving people of Northern Ireland.
"I would urge all who are genuinely interested in finding out what's happening in the country, and how things might well work out, to join with the group next Tuesday. Whether you agree with the analysis or not is not the issue. What you will find is that your thinking might" be challenged and stimulated and that can only be good," added Dr. Lynch.
Meanwhile, the group has met with Victims' Minister, Mr. Des Browne, at its office in Newtownstewart. A good turnout of victims was present and the Minister listened intently to the stories of pain and loss that our victim members had to relate. Issues causing the group concern were also raised with the minister.
Mr. Browne told the group he was impressed with what it had been doing and how it was run. He also congratulated the members on how they were able to articulate their fears and concerns. Further meetings will be arranged as and when they are deemed useful.
VICTIMS' group, West Tyrone Voice (WTV) is to visit Donemana on Tuesday for a public meeting.
The meeting, to be held in the local Presbyterian Church hall at 8 p.m., will mark the first time the group has met in Donemana.
The village has suffered at the hands of republican paramilitaries during 30 years of violence.
Young William Temple (16), a milkman's helper, was murdered when three bombs exploded in Claudy on July 31, 1972, and, five years later, the village was again plunged into grief when Const. Kenneth Lynch (22), youngest brother of Hazlett Lynch, project co-ordinator WTV, was murdered along with two RUC colleagues on June 2, 1977, near Ardboe in County Tyrone.
Then UDR soldier, Johnny McKeegan (49), was shot dead in Strabane by IRA gunmen on November 19, 1981. In the Omagh bomb, families from the district suffered loss and injury.
WTV says the main purpose of the meeting is to raise the whole issue of the "genocide" of pro-union people.
Mr. Bertie Campbell, Lurgan, will make a presentation of his analysis of the current situation, and some of the facts that he will publish will make for spine-chilling listening.
"There is a great need for clear analysis of the situation that is facing the country at present and prounion people owe it to themselves to get as fully gemmed up as possible so that they can make a responsible contribution to the debate," spokesman Dr. Hazlett Lynch, said this week.
"The promotion of terrorists in government, the destruction of the RUC, the flouting and breaking of the rules agreed by
the Assembly, the removal of the insignia of Britishness from our province, the discrediting of justice issues, etc., have all caused unspeakable hurt to those whose loved-ones were brutally murdered by republicans.
"What adds insult to injury is the IRA's proposal to cut a new service medal for IRA death squad members.
"For murderers to be honoured for their evil deeds simply defies logic. Are they saying, The war is over?' or are they merely seeking to promote further recruits to their terrorist organisation? Whatever the explanation, they are employing in your face tactics to intimidate and threaten the peace-loving people of Northern Ireland.
"I would urge all who are genuinely interested in finding out what's happening in the country, and how things might well work out, to join with the group next Tuesday. Whether you agree with the analysis or not is not the issue. What you will find is that your thinking might" be challenged and stimulated and that can only be good," added Dr. Lynch.
Meanwhile, the group has met with Victims' Minister, Mr. Des Browne, at its office in Newtownstewart. A good turnout of victims was present and the Minister listened intently to the stories of pain and loss that our victim members had to relate. Issues causing the group concern were also raised with the minister.
Mr. Browne told the group he was impressed with what it had been doing and how it was run. He also congratulated the members on how they were able to articulate their fears and concerns. Further meetings will be arranged as and when they are deemed useful.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0947
Published Date: 15-Nov-01
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