BEREAVED HUSBAND SPEAKS OUT
Bereaved husband speaks out
DEAR 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 Office 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 the 15th August 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 Anne Gormley voiced their personal distaste at his presence in the chamber, and walked out as a mark of respect for the dead and bereaved and the injured. Yet, not one of the other councillors present 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 business as usual without venting at least some viewpoint on the stance Mr. Mackey took in the aftermath of August 15, when confronted with the world's media.
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.
From 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 have dealt a fatal blow to his political career, however he shall find on solance or sympathy from me. He still has a wife to go home to I do not.
As a further comment, and not intending to detract from the above, I wish to ask when can our council organise the opening of lower Market Street, and the demolition of the bombed buildings, as this is like an open coffin to the bereaved and injured, as its continual presence is a horrendous memorial to the dead and injured.
Yours gratefully,
LAWRENCE RUSHE
DEAR 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 Office 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 the 15th August 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 Anne Gormley voiced their personal distaste at his presence in the chamber, and walked out as a mark of respect for the dead and bereaved and the injured. Yet, not one of the other councillors present 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 business as usual without venting at least some viewpoint on the stance Mr. Mackey took in the aftermath of August 15, when confronted with the world's media.
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.
From 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 have dealt a fatal blow to his political career, however he shall find on solance or sympathy from me. He still has a wife to go home to I do not.
As a further comment, and not intending to detract from the above, I wish to ask when can our council organise the opening of lower Market Street, and the demolition of the bombed buildings, as this is like an open coffin to the bereaved and injured, as its continual presence is a horrendous memorial to the dead and injured.
Yours gratefully,
LAWRENCE RUSHE
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1195
Published Date: 15-Oct-98
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