RAW NERVES TO THE FORE AS MEETING LOSES FOCUS
Raw nerves to the fore as meeting loses focus
BY CONOR SHARKEY
Around 80 people gathered in Omagh on Thursday evening for the final pub-. lie meeting of the Consultative Group oh the Past. In attendance at Omagh's South West College were representatives from various community groups, victims groups and members of the Health Service. Most notable however, was the imbalance in political representation. While several Ulster Unionist and DUP politicians turned up to offer their opinion, Sinn Fein was represented by the lone voice of Councillor Declan McAleer.
Flanked by Consultative Group members Elaine Moore and David Porter, co-chair Denis Bradley opened the meeting by outlining the panel's role and vision, adding that when the group was being established, many factors had been considered. These included, he said, was Northern Ireland ready to discuss the past? Were the wounds still too raw? And could the the Troubles be discussed in a rational manner at this early stage?
Following the opening comments, the evening was opened up to the audience.
As expected, proceedings were dominated by a suggestion made recently by the group that they may ask the British Government to formally admit that it fought a war against the IRA. A further suggestion of an amnesty for paramilitaries also sparked fury amongst Unionists when first revealed and this again formed a major part of Thursday's meeting.
At times it appeared that some audience members, particularly from a political background, had turned up simply to lambast what they referred to as "Sinn Fein/IRA", and in particular Martin McGuinness's current political role.
This often led to the reason behind the Consultative team's visit to Omagh being somewhat lost and it was left to the families of those bereaved by the Troubles, and in particular the Omagh Bomb, to offer the most productive comments of the evening.
At times, things were highly charged with a range of emotions surfacing - anger, sadness, bitterness and even on occasion hope.
Overall however, what the audience were left with after two hours of debate was the feeling that maybe Dennis Bradley is right. Maybe it is too early to discuss the past 40 years of bloodshed, particularly in a town that has suffered as much as Omagh.
BY CONOR SHARKEY
Around 80 people gathered in Omagh on Thursday evening for the final pub-. lie meeting of the Consultative Group oh the Past. In attendance at Omagh's South West College were representatives from various community groups, victims groups and members of the Health Service. Most notable however, was the imbalance in political representation. While several Ulster Unionist and DUP politicians turned up to offer their opinion, Sinn Fein was represented by the lone voice of Councillor Declan McAleer.
Flanked by Consultative Group members Elaine Moore and David Porter, co-chair Denis Bradley opened the meeting by outlining the panel's role and vision, adding that when the group was being established, many factors had been considered. These included, he said, was Northern Ireland ready to discuss the past? Were the wounds still too raw? And could the the Troubles be discussed in a rational manner at this early stage?
Following the opening comments, the evening was opened up to the audience.
As expected, proceedings were dominated by a suggestion made recently by the group that they may ask the British Government to formally admit that it fought a war against the IRA. A further suggestion of an amnesty for paramilitaries also sparked fury amongst Unionists when first revealed and this again formed a major part of Thursday's meeting.
At times it appeared that some audience members, particularly from a political background, had turned up simply to lambast what they referred to as "Sinn Fein/IRA", and in particular Martin McGuinness's current political role.
This often led to the reason behind the Consultative team's visit to Omagh being somewhat lost and it was left to the families of those bereaved by the Troubles, and in particular the Omagh Bomb, to offer the most productive comments of the evening.
At times, things were highly charged with a range of emotions surfacing - anger, sadness, bitterness and even on occasion hope.
Overall however, what the audience were left with after two hours of debate was the feeling that maybe Dennis Bradley is right. Maybe it is too early to discuss the past 40 years of bloodshed, particularly in a town that has suffered as much as Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/063
Published Date: 21-Jan-08
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