COUNCILLOR SLAMED BY BOMB VICTIM
Councillor slammed by bomb victim
Sir,
I am writing in direct response to the exclusion of myself, nurses, old age pensioners, union representatives and others, from the entrance hall of our council offices on Monday of last week.
When finally a small representation from our number were admitted, we were told that Dr. Mowlam would speak to us in public, and I found that she had to suffer the indignity of listening to Mr. Francis Mackey, who appeared to be still engaging himself in the public affairs of this community. I had not intended to do anything more than make my feelings clear to Dr. Mowlam, but found it ironic that I was there to attempt to safeguard the jobs of the very profession of which Mr.Mackey is a member. Where was Mr. Mackey on August 15 when nurses came from all over Ireland to help?
It appears to me that the councillors present at the meeting the day after Dr. Mowlam's visit, bar two of their number, were obviously mummified or tongue-tied, since they chose to maintain the status quo, choosing the safe and easy option of staying silent, as councillors Johnny McLaughlin and Ann Gormley voiced their personal distaste at his presence in the chamber, and walked out as a mark of respect for the dead, the bereaved and the injured. Not one of the other councillors had the courage to stand up and be counted on our behalf when it mattered.
Who, in God's name, with an ounce of human decency and feeling in them at all, could carry on with the business as usual without venting at least some viewpoint on the warped and bigoted stance Mr. Mackey took in the aftermath of August 15, when confronted with the world's media.
In my opinion he knew then exactly what he was doing. Be under no illusion, his game-plan involved the exploitation of the huge media presence to launch his 32 County Sovereign Committee onto the world stage at a stroke. All, I might add, at the expense of those so brutally murdered, including of course Libbi, my dear wife and soulmate and companion. May they all rest in peace in God's care.
Yet, last Tuesday night this person of no fixed political abode had the gall to accuse Messrs. McLaughlin and Gormley of cheap expedient politics. Is there no end to his hypocrisy?
Not surprisingly, their common sense, dignity and better judgement prevailed on the night. No right thinking human being could relish an engagement with someone who forever shall remain steeped in notoriety in the history books of this town, as the atrocity which was visited upon its people is mulled over and discussed for generations to come.
For my own part, I shall protest vigorously at this councillor's involvement in anything to do with the remembrance of these innocent people, and the memory of my dear wife.
Councillor Mackey may haven dealt a fatal blow to his political career, however he shall find no solace or sympathy from me. He still has a wife to go home to I do not.
Yours,
Laurence Rush,
10 Brookemount Road,
Omagh.
Sir,
I am writing in direct response to the exclusion of myself, nurses, old age pensioners, union representatives and others, from the entrance hall of our council offices on Monday of last week.
When finally a small representation from our number were admitted, we were told that Dr. Mowlam would speak to us in public, and I found that she had to suffer the indignity of listening to Mr. Francis Mackey, who appeared to be still engaging himself in the public affairs of this community. I had not intended to do anything more than make my feelings clear to Dr. Mowlam, but found it ironic that I was there to attempt to safeguard the jobs of the very profession of which Mr.Mackey is a member. Where was Mr. Mackey on August 15 when nurses came from all over Ireland to help?
It appears to me that the councillors present at the meeting the day after Dr. Mowlam's visit, bar two of their number, were obviously mummified or tongue-tied, since they chose to maintain the status quo, choosing the safe and easy option of staying silent, as councillors Johnny McLaughlin and Ann Gormley voiced their personal distaste at his presence in the chamber, and walked out as a mark of respect for the dead, the bereaved and the injured. Not one of the other councillors had the courage to stand up and be counted on our behalf when it mattered.
Who, in God's name, with an ounce of human decency and feeling in them at all, could carry on with the business as usual without venting at least some viewpoint on the warped and bigoted stance Mr. Mackey took in the aftermath of August 15, when confronted with the world's media.
In my opinion he knew then exactly what he was doing. Be under no illusion, his game-plan involved the exploitation of the huge media presence to launch his 32 County Sovereign Committee onto the world stage at a stroke. All, I might add, at the expense of those so brutally murdered, including of course Libbi, my dear wife and soulmate and companion. May they all rest in peace in God's care.
Yet, last Tuesday night this person of no fixed political abode had the gall to accuse Messrs. McLaughlin and Gormley of cheap expedient politics. Is there no end to his hypocrisy?
Not surprisingly, their common sense, dignity and better judgement prevailed on the night. No right thinking human being could relish an engagement with someone who forever shall remain steeped in notoriety in the history books of this town, as the atrocity which was visited upon its people is mulled over and discussed for generations to come.
For my own part, I shall protest vigorously at this councillor's involvement in anything to do with the remembrance of these innocent people, and the memory of my dear wife.
Councillor Mackey may haven dealt a fatal blow to his political career, however he shall find no solace or sympathy from me. He still has a wife to go home to I do not.
Yours,
Laurence Rush,
10 Brookemount Road,
Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1285
Published Date: 15-Oct-98
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