MACKEY CONFIRMS MEETING WITH VICTIMS FATHER
Mackey confirms meeting with victim's father
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
FORMER Omagh councillor Francis Mackey has confirmed that he led the delegation from the 32 County Sovereignty Association to the meeting with the father of a boy killed in the Omagh bombing.
Mr Mackey said that the meeting with Victor Barker was "cordial" and he and his associates were impressed by Mr Barker's "understanding of our position".
Mr Barker, whose son James was one of the 31 people killed in the 1998 bomb, revealed that he met leading members of the 32 County Sovereignty Association last December. The meeting lasted two and a half hours and it was held above a bar in Swords. Mr Barker talked with the 32 County Sovereignty Association Chairman Mr Mackey, Head of Public Relations Joe Dillon and National Executive member Phil Donaghue.
When word of the meeting leaked out this week, Mr Barker said he did not regret the talks but he could understand the surprise of some of the families of other Omagh victims.
When contacted by the Ulster Herald. Mr Mackey said the meeting was useful "It was relaxed. Both sides had given an appreciation of each other's position and we were very impressed that he had done a lot of research to get an understanding of our position."
Mr Mackey said he had no doubt Mr Barker's objective was to urge the 32 County group to get the IRA to end its campaign of violence and to achieve its goal through peaceful means.
"It goes without saying that he asked us to use our influence on the (Real) IRA," said Mr Mackey. "We stated that we are not the (Real) IRA, despite the propaganda.
"We also said that if there was a genuine move to move things forward politically that we would review our stance. At this moment, the 32 County movement has been blocked by the British government from taking our case to the United Nations," said Mr Mackey.
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
FORMER Omagh councillor Francis Mackey has confirmed that he led the delegation from the 32 County Sovereignty Association to the meeting with the father of a boy killed in the Omagh bombing.
Mr Mackey said that the meeting with Victor Barker was "cordial" and he and his associates were impressed by Mr Barker's "understanding of our position".
Mr Barker, whose son James was one of the 31 people killed in the 1998 bomb, revealed that he met leading members of the 32 County Sovereignty Association last December. The meeting lasted two and a half hours and it was held above a bar in Swords. Mr Barker talked with the 32 County Sovereignty Association Chairman Mr Mackey, Head of Public Relations Joe Dillon and National Executive member Phil Donaghue.
When word of the meeting leaked out this week, Mr Barker said he did not regret the talks but he could understand the surprise of some of the families of other Omagh victims.
When contacted by the Ulster Herald. Mr Mackey said the meeting was useful "It was relaxed. Both sides had given an appreciation of each other's position and we were very impressed that he had done a lot of research to get an understanding of our position."
Mr Mackey said he had no doubt Mr Barker's objective was to urge the 32 County group to get the IRA to end its campaign of violence and to achieve its goal through peaceful means.
"It goes without saying that he asked us to use our influence on the (Real) IRA," said Mr Mackey. "We stated that we are not the (Real) IRA, despite the propaganda.
"We also said that if there was a genuine move to move things forward politically that we would review our stance. At this moment, the 32 County movement has been blocked by the British government from taking our case to the United Nations," said Mr Mackey.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1614
Published Date: 09-Oct-03
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