MEP WARNS AGAINST FATAL ATTRACTION TO EVIL VIOLENCE
MEP warns against fatal attraction to evil violence
Omagh's dead remembered at Beal na mBlath
Ray Ryan
THE country that General Michael Collins tried to fashion would have no place in it for the bombers of Omagh, his grand-niece, Mary Banotti, a member of the European Parliament, declared at Beal na mBlaith yesterday.
Delivering the oration during the annual commemoration at the place where he was killed in an ambush during the Civil War 76 years ago, she said that assertion must be made loudly and plainly.
"Otherwise, we can only look with terror on the self-styled Real IRA and ask, with Yeats, 'what rough beast, its hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born'."
Ms Banotti said all the leaders on this island, both north and south, have a sacred responsibility to give leadership and to demonstrate the futility of violence in achieving a better future for all the citizens of this island.
She said the patriotism of Irish people north and south was clearly manifested in the overwhelming vote of support for the Good Friday Agreement and the willingness of Irish people of all traditions to alter Articles 2 and 3 as a means to ensure peace.
Those gathered at the commemoration were part of a historic transition. However, despite the great brave steps taken, they were still, unfortunately, producing young people who, however misguidedly, feel it is more patriotic to carry semtex and plant bombs than it is to work hard and use their education to their own and their country's advantage.
"We must however be prepared to critically examine how susceptible young people continue to be fatally seduced by the cult of violence. We must ask ourselves are these young people seeking legitimacy for their actions as a historical progression from the past", she said.
Ms. Banotti, who earlier joined the attendance in observing one minute's silence to honour those who lost their lives in Omagh and all those who have died both north and south, said the massacre brings Ireland into the lists headed by countries such as the former Yugoslavia or Algeria: "Here, as there, we have our own people being slaughtered by our own people. Here, as there, our people voted for something other than violence. In elections, which for the first time in 80 years united the island at the polls, the will of the people was made known.
"The bombers insist the will of the people of this state counts for nothing. I believe if Michael Collins had been able to vote, he would have voted for peace.
"I believe too that, if he had done so, he also would have been the target of the Omagh bombers. What was done so many years ago here at Beal na mBlath would have been done again by people such as these, for murderers do not accept democracy".
Ms. Banotti said she had spoken about democracy, but democracy must have its heroes too. She saw Collins as a hero not of war, but of peace, not a man of extremism but of moderation: "We do not give up our flag because someone else has sullied it. We do not give up our language because it is used for bloody speeches. We cannot give up our heroes because we fear, and we are right to fear, they might be tainted with the blood and tears of Omagh."
The Tricolour flew at half mast for the first time as a mark of respect to the victims of the Omagh bombing. Cllr. Frank Metcalf, Chairman, presided, and Jack Kearney (88), Banteer, attending his 62nd consecutive Beal na mBlath ceremony, laid a wreath on behalf of the Old IRA. Millstreet Pipe Band performed while an Army trumpeter and drummer from the Band of the Southern Command sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Omagh's dead remembered at Beal na mBlath
Ray Ryan
THE country that General Michael Collins tried to fashion would have no place in it for the bombers of Omagh, his grand-niece, Mary Banotti, a member of the European Parliament, declared at Beal na mBlaith yesterday.
Delivering the oration during the annual commemoration at the place where he was killed in an ambush during the Civil War 76 years ago, she said that assertion must be made loudly and plainly.
"Otherwise, we can only look with terror on the self-styled Real IRA and ask, with Yeats, 'what rough beast, its hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born'."
Ms Banotti said all the leaders on this island, both north and south, have a sacred responsibility to give leadership and to demonstrate the futility of violence in achieving a better future for all the citizens of this island.
She said the patriotism of Irish people north and south was clearly manifested in the overwhelming vote of support for the Good Friday Agreement and the willingness of Irish people of all traditions to alter Articles 2 and 3 as a means to ensure peace.
Those gathered at the commemoration were part of a historic transition. However, despite the great brave steps taken, they were still, unfortunately, producing young people who, however misguidedly, feel it is more patriotic to carry semtex and plant bombs than it is to work hard and use their education to their own and their country's advantage.
"We must however be prepared to critically examine how susceptible young people continue to be fatally seduced by the cult of violence. We must ask ourselves are these young people seeking legitimacy for their actions as a historical progression from the past", she said.
Ms. Banotti, who earlier joined the attendance in observing one minute's silence to honour those who lost their lives in Omagh and all those who have died both north and south, said the massacre brings Ireland into the lists headed by countries such as the former Yugoslavia or Algeria: "Here, as there, we have our own people being slaughtered by our own people. Here, as there, our people voted for something other than violence. In elections, which for the first time in 80 years united the island at the polls, the will of the people was made known.
"The bombers insist the will of the people of this state counts for nothing. I believe if Michael Collins had been able to vote, he would have voted for peace.
"I believe too that, if he had done so, he also would have been the target of the Omagh bombers. What was done so many years ago here at Beal na mBlath would have been done again by people such as these, for murderers do not accept democracy".
Ms. Banotti said she had spoken about democracy, but democracy must have its heroes too. She saw Collins as a hero not of war, but of peace, not a man of extremism but of moderation: "We do not give up our flag because someone else has sullied it. We do not give up our language because it is used for bloody speeches. We cannot give up our heroes because we fear, and we are right to fear, they might be tainted with the blood and tears of Omagh."
The Tricolour flew at half mast for the first time as a mark of respect to the victims of the Omagh bombing. Cllr. Frank Metcalf, Chairman, presided, and Jack Kearney (88), Banteer, attending his 62nd consecutive Beal na mBlath ceremony, laid a wreath on behalf of the Old IRA. Millstreet Pipe Band performed while an Army trumpeter and drummer from the Band of the Southern Command sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/160
Published Date: 24-Aug-98
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