VICTOR BARKER REBUKES TYRONE PARISH PRIEST
Victor Barker rebukes Tyrone parish priest
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE church should confine itself to its ministry work rather than interfering with due legal process, according to the father of one of the children murdered in the Omagh bombing.
Victor Barker, whose twelve year-old son, James, was one of the 31 people killed in the Omagh blast almost six years ago, has lashed out at claims that Colm Murphy, who was jailed in connection with the bombing, did not get a fair trial.
In last week's Ulster Herald the controversial priest, Monsignor Denis Faul, raised concerns as to the fairness of Murphy's trial, given that two Gardai officers essentially perjured themselves, and although their testimony was struck out, he said he feared that the trial had, therefore, been corrupted.
However, in a letter to the Ulster Herald this week, Mr Barker, broadly tells the church to keep its nose out of matters that don't concern it.
He asks why Monsignor Faul feels that the Church ought to be so ready to comment on matters "... which are solely the remit of the Courts and the Irish State's Justice system?"
Moreover, Mr Barker accuses the Carrickmore Parish Priest, of being (along with other campaigners) responsible for the 'emotional distortion of the truth'.
Monsignor Faul had said that as a result of his involvement of cases such as those of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford four, that he was worried about cases of high emotion.
Mr Barker said that Murphy has the appeal avenue open to him if he wishes to pursue that and added, "Colm Murphy would have far more sympathy from the relatives if he gave a true account of his involvement in the Omagh Bomb and asked for their forgiveness for whatever part he played.
Perhaps there is a much chance of this happening as the Church confining itself to matters of ministry rather than meddling in the legal system."
Mgr Faul has visited Murphy in jail on two occasions. He is considered by many republicans to be less than a friend of the movement, indeed, he has been a strident critic of both Sinn Fein and the IRA in the past, and has criticised the British army and RUC and other state agencies in the past. It is understood that Colm Murphy, who suffered a suspected heart attack some months ago, has been awaiting news of an appeal for two and a half years.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE church should confine itself to its ministry work rather than interfering with due legal process, according to the father of one of the children murdered in the Omagh bombing.
Victor Barker, whose twelve year-old son, James, was one of the 31 people killed in the Omagh blast almost six years ago, has lashed out at claims that Colm Murphy, who was jailed in connection with the bombing, did not get a fair trial.
In last week's Ulster Herald the controversial priest, Monsignor Denis Faul, raised concerns as to the fairness of Murphy's trial, given that two Gardai officers essentially perjured themselves, and although their testimony was struck out, he said he feared that the trial had, therefore, been corrupted.
However, in a letter to the Ulster Herald this week, Mr Barker, broadly tells the church to keep its nose out of matters that don't concern it.
He asks why Monsignor Faul feels that the Church ought to be so ready to comment on matters "... which are solely the remit of the Courts and the Irish State's Justice system?"
Moreover, Mr Barker accuses the Carrickmore Parish Priest, of being (along with other campaigners) responsible for the 'emotional distortion of the truth'.
Monsignor Faul had said that as a result of his involvement of cases such as those of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford four, that he was worried about cases of high emotion.
Mr Barker said that Murphy has the appeal avenue open to him if he wishes to pursue that and added, "Colm Murphy would have far more sympathy from the relatives if he gave a true account of his involvement in the Omagh Bomb and asked for their forgiveness for whatever part he played.
Perhaps there is a much chance of this happening as the Church confining itself to matters of ministry rather than meddling in the legal system."
Mgr Faul has visited Murphy in jail on two occasions. He is considered by many republicans to be less than a friend of the movement, indeed, he has been a strident critic of both Sinn Fein and the IRA in the past, and has criticised the British army and RUC and other state agencies in the past. It is understood that Colm Murphy, who suffered a suspected heart attack some months ago, has been awaiting news of an appeal for two and a half years.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1676
Published Date: 15-Jul-04
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