Meath Peace Group

Statements and letters to newspapers, April 1997 - August 1998

Letters to The Editor, Irish Independent, Dublin

21 April 1997

Dear Sir,

In his wide-ranging Ard-Fheis speech, Mr Gerry Adams said (among other things) that "republicans .... are prepared to meet, to discuss, to reach agreement and come to a democratic agreement with unionism". This is to be welcomed, but am I wrong in thinking that "clarification" may be needed as to the real meaning of "democratic agreement"?

Mr Adams says, further, that republicans "are not prepared to tolerate triumphalism and sectarianism " and "will not be reconciled to ...the denial of civil and religious liberties". This too is to be welcomed. But again clarification might be needed - does this mean that Sinn Fein will, at last, recognise their own electoral mandate, will refuse to be dictated to by the undemocratic and unrepresentative IRA Army Council, will stand up for the rights of all, including their own constituents and will oppose all breaches of human rights, including those perpetrated in the name of "republicanism"? Will Sinn Fein lead the campaign demanding a new and unequivocal cease-fire?

May I in closing commend Tom Hartley of Sinn Fein for recognising that patience is needed to build a "partnership of dialogue with northern Protestantism and unionism". In the light of this recognition, my only query would be - why then impose a precondition of a time limit on all-party negotiations?

Yours sincerely

Julitta Clancy

Letters to the editor

[published in Irish Times; Irish Independent and Irish News, 19 June 1997)]

17 June 1997

Dear Sir,

In his Ard-Fheis speech in Monaghan this year, the Sinn Fein President stated that "Sinn Fein is absolutely committed to democratic and peaceful methods of resolving problems." He pledged "Sinn Fein’s commitment to peace and to negotiations and to agreement", and said that for Irish republicans, "the aim has never been the victory of one section of our people over another, but a new union of Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter." There were other wonderful phrases in that speech - about wanting to reach an "accommodation with unionism", "to make peace with unionists", about the need for republicans to "build equality and partnership", about how Sinn Fein could not be reconciled to the "denial of civil and religious liberties".

But where do all these aspirations and lofty ideals stand in the light of yesterday’s brutal murder of two policemen in Lurgan? What was achieved by plunging two more families into grief and endangering further the lives of so many more people? Where is Sinn Fein’s commitment to peace and democratic politics now? Where is their courage and leadership when all they can do is express "shock" and say it is a time "for calm, for all of us to reflect on the situation"?

Sinn Fein are still trying to have it both ways. They constantly talk about having a substantial mandate but they won’t even recognise this mandate themselves. They talk a lot about peace, but they seem totally unaware of the commitment, leadership and vision required to bring about peace. They go on about "all-party talks" about "honest dialogue" - yet each time they come nearer to entering talks, they allow the IRA to scupper their chances. Their spokespersons talk about how they delivered the cease-fire in 1994, yet they now say they are unable to bring about a cease-fire, even with the large mandate they received (on a peace ticket), and all the other factors now working in their favour. The fact remains that they are still under the command of the unelected and unrepresentative IRA Army Council - they place their allegiance to this anonymous, secret and unaccountable group above their allegiance to the people they purport to represent. As long as they are willing to remain in that situation, then they can’t seriously talk of being committed to peace.

There was no justification for yesterday’s killings, just as there was no justification for the killings of John Slane, Sean Brown and Robert Hamill, and all the other murders too numerous to recount. There is no justification for anyone hiding behind flowery phrases now - either they want peace or they don’t, either they want to enter talks or they don’t.

Yours sincerely

Julitta Clancy 

Meath Peace Group

Press Release 19 JULY 1997

Statement on the IRA cease-fire announcement 

1. The Meath Peace Group welcomes the announcement of the resumption of the IRA cease-fire.

2. We hope and trust that this development will mark the beginning of a new era of reconciliation and dialogue, leading to peace on this island.

3. We hope that true and meaningful dialogue will commence in September, where all parties will come to the table representing the views of their electorates and that no group will allow themselves to be led or dictated to by unrepresentative and unelected paramilitary groupings.

4. While welcoming the cease-fire announcement which will save untold lives in the future, we regret very much that the IRA statement did not include any expression of remorse or acknowledgement of the pain, suffering and wrong caused over so many years.

Signed on behalf of the Meath Peace Group

John Clancy
Julitta Clancy

"Letters to the Editor, Sunday Business Post"

2 October 1997

Letters to the Editor

Sunday Business Post

Dear Sir,

In the opening paragraph of his column last Sunday (28th Sept.), Tom McGurk shows a perception which is shared among many journalists and political commentators, but which I find surprising from one as experienced on Northern matters as he is.

I hope I have not misunderstood him. Does he really believe that if "all-party" talks had indeed been initiated back in the Autumn of 1994, that they would have got anywhere, that "we would now be in the third year of a new settlement" ? Does he really believe that: (a) fully inclusive "all-party" talks were then possible? that (b) the IRA and Sinn Fein were indeed ready for such talks?, or that (c) the unionist parties were ready?

We all lament the fact that it has taken 3 years, that sadly many lives were lost, and millions of pounds of damage done - but we have to be realistic too. If talks had started then and failed (as I believe would most likely have happened), what sort of a scenario would then have faced the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland, let alone the rest of us in the South? What hopes for a peace settlement and all the wonderful changes which Tom McGurk outlined?

Lastly, as we outline all the changes we would like to see in the North, let us not forget that we in the South have many changes to make too and many challenges to face if we really want to see lasting peace on this island. The excellent work being done in this field by the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation was unfortunately suspended after the breakdown of the IRA cease-fire. Let us hope that the Forum can reconvene and that its deliberations can be brought more closely to people on the ground here.

Yours sincerely Julitta Clancy

"Letters To The Editor", Irish News

3 October 1997

The Editor,

Irish News

Belfast

Dear Sir,

With substantive negotiations now about to get underway in Stormont , the Meath Peace Group would like to extend our best wishes to all those taking part. An onerous and historic responsibility now rests on the delegates and it will not be easy. They will be addressing divisions, not only of the last 30 years, or 70 years, but of hundreds of years - something that has never been attempted before on this island. Expectations should not be raised - quiet determination and courage are now called for, together with a willingness to listen, to learn, to understand the other parties, to compromise where that is necessary, keeping before them always the tragedies of broken lives outside - the dead, the injured and the maimed, the broken-hearted, the prisoners and their families, the increasingly divided communities, the despair of so many, and the evils of hatred, violence, injustice, sectarianism and bigotry.

Progress can be made provided the will is there, provided expectations are not unreasonable, and provided the parties outside the talks also act responsibly. That goes for the media too - now is the time for the media to take a good look at itself and learn how to report on a peace process - to bring out the many positive things and not be forever dwelling on the negative, stirring up hatred and reinforcing sectarianism and despair.

Let us also remember our own role in the peace process, for the role of ordinary people North and South is crucial. A political settlement alone will not bring peace (we know that too well from our history). With such divisions as there are, with such hurts and misunderstandings that exist, real and lasting peace can only come through the active participation and commitment of ordinary people throughout the island.

There are many groups in Northern Ireland working quietly and courageously to heal the wounds and to help break down divisions of distrust and misunderstanding - many of these have been working hard through all the long years of violence, largely unnoticed by the media and by many politicians, yet there would have been no progress and no hope without them. May I through your columns pay tribute to these unsung heroes?

There is a great need for work to be done in the Republic also - there are many changes to be made and many challenges to be faced. The excellent work being done in this field by the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation was unfortunately suspended following the breakdown of the IRA cease-fire. Hopefully the Forum will be reconvened and allowed to complete its work and that its deliberations will be filtered out to people on the ground. Like many other groups in the Republic, the Meath Peace Group has been trying to play our part in the past four and a half years - raising awareness and promoting understanding - and we have been greatly encouraged and sustained by the support and goodwill we have received from local people in Meath, but more people need to get involved over the next few years, whether through peace and reconciliation groups or working through their own existing groups - youth groups, community groups, women’s groups, farming groups, church groups, local history groups etc. all have a role to play in this area. The Meath Peace Group will have a stand at the Open Day in St. Columban’s College, Dalgan Park, Navan on October 12th (2-6pm) and we invite anyone interested to talk to us there.

We also invite members of the public to come to our next open talk (the 26th public talk to date) which will be held on Monday, October 20th at 7.30pm in St. Columban’s College, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co. Meath. The topic is "The Emergent Irish State - Did We Turn our Backs on the North?".

The speakers are: Professor Tom Garvin (Dept. of Politics, UCD), Mr. John Bruton, TD, Leader of Fine Gael, and 2 speakers from Northern Ireland (names not yet confirmed). All are welcome - tea and coffee will be served after the talk, and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Yours sincerely

Julitta Clancy (Meath Peace Group)

Letters To The Editor, Irish News

22 October 1997

Letters to the Editor, Irish News, Belfast

Dear Sir,

The controversy surrounding the presidential campaign in the Republic has highlighted something that is not often generally recognised - i.e. that there is need for understanding and reconciliation not only between unionists and nationalists in the North, and between unionists and Southern nationalists, but also between nationalists North and South.

I was saddened and ashamed to hear some blatantly anti-Northern sentiments being expressed on our radio recently - I do not believe such sentiments reflect the feelings of the majority in the South and I hope I am not wrong. I do believe that while most of us in the Republic may not understand too well the feelings and experiences of Northern nationalists (let alone Northern unionists), I do not believe that the majority entertain any ill-will towards either community in the North. As I say, I hope I am not wrong.

But there is a real problem here - a lack of understanding which we must try and redress. I would venture to suggest that there is also a lack of understanding on the part of many Northern nationalists as to the feelings and experiences of people in the South. Indeed many Northern nationalists have expressed feelings of great bitterness about the way they feel they have been treated by the South. There is a need now for all these feelings to be brought out into the open and discussed fairly.

The Meath Peace Group held a public talk last Monday evening (previously advertised in your paper), on the topic "The Emergent Irish State - Did we Turn our Backs on the North?". About 100, mainly local people, attended and there were also people from Belfast, Down, Fermanagh, Antrim and Cavan in the audience. The talk was addressed by Tom Garvin (Head of Politics in UCD) and Deputy John Bruton, our own local TD. We had also invited speakers from both the SDLP and Sinn Fein to come along to speak on behalf of Northern nationalists. Regrettably, the SDLP speaker had to cancel out at the last minute (for very genuine reasons), and Sinn Fein apologised for the fact that they were unable to find a speaker on the night. We are interested in pursuing this topic and we would like to invite your readers to write to us with their own experiences. We would also like to suggest that the IRISH NEWS publish at least some extracts from the papers read at our meeting. The Irish News republished John Waters’ article in full - in the interests of greater understanding and also fair treatment, could the paper also publish both Professor Garvin’s and Deputy Bruton’s papers?

Yours sincerely

Julitta Clancy Meath Peace Group

Letters To The Editor, Sunday Independent

27 November 1997

Re: Mary Ellen Synon’s article - Sunday Independent, 23 Nov.

Dear Sir,

In the course of her attack on John Bruton, (Sunday Independent, 23 Nov.), Mary Ellen Synon paints a glowing picture of the new Ireland - a "risen people" whose young people "find ardent nationalism natural and acceptable". She defines her concept of nationalism as "those who desire re-unification" and speaks of "true patriots" who are "proud to love their country".

Could I offer my own interpretation as to what true patriotism is? True patriots are people who have a deep love of their country - this love of country goes beyond words and aspirations and incorporates a love of the people who inhabit it, whatever their background, colour, creed or political tradition etc. True patriots work actively and continually all their lives to promote the well-being of all. In their love of country they go beyond their own selfish interests and seek to respect, understand, consider, value and include people who hold different opinions, people who have different experiences and needs, people from different backgrounds. Being proud of your country is not enough, desiring re-unification is a worthy aspiration, but in a divided community true patriotism requires more.

As to pride in our country - it is right that we should be proud of our many achievements, of our educated young people who do so well in so many areas etc., but let us not forget that we have much to be ashamed of too - our "two-tiered" society with so many families and individuals now living in desperation and dire poverty, the growing number of homeless on our streets, the increasing crime and drug addiction, the growing prison population, the shameful conditions in some psychiatric hospitals, our treatment of refugees and minority groups. For many people in this wonderful country there is very little hope. Thankfully there are many "true patriots" out there - in voluntary groups, statutory services, even in politics, who are working hard to make conditions more bearable, but this can never be enough, and we all know it. We will have a country truly to be proud of when our "ardent nationalists" take on the awesome responsibility of being "true patriots".

Yours sincerely -

Julitta Clancy

Meath Peace Group Press Release 22 January 1998

1. We offer our deepest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of those murdered and injured in the latest outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland. Our hearts go out to them in their sorrow.

2. We commend the remarkable courage and love of those families who, even in their shock and anguish, have gone out of their way to call for no retaliation in their name.

3. We call for an immediate end to the violence. There is no justification for it and no cause or community is served by it, except the cause of evil.

4. We call on the Irish and British Governments and politicians in Northern Ireland, the Republic and Great Britain to stand firm in the face of violence and the threat of violence and to renew their efforts for meaningful dialogue and understanding leading to a real and lasting peaceful settlement on this island. Theirs is an onerous and historic responsibility - made even more difficult by the violence and by the negative voices of those (on both sides of the traditional divide) who are bent on destroying the talks and crushing the hopes of peace. Determination, patience and courage are needed, together with a willingness on all sides to listen to the other point of view, to learn, to genuinely seek to understand, to be flexible, and to compromise, where that is required, for the greater good, bearing in mind always the tragedies of so many broken lives outside.

5. We call on ordinary people everywhere to demonstrate their desire for and commitment to peace. In the immediate instance we must look for practical ways of responding to this latest outbreak of violence which threatens to consume more victims daily and which is aimed at destroying the positive efforts for peace for which so many have worked, suffered and prayed for so many years. But let us not forget our long-term role in the bringing about of a peaceful climate on this island. A political settlement on its own will not bring peace - real and lasting peace can only come through the active participation and commitment of ordinary people throughout the island. There is no choice for us in this matter - either we want peace for our children or we don’t. Dare we hand on the legacy to yet another generation?

6. We call on the media to play their part in a real peace process. Too often in the past and regretfully even now, sections of the media have dwelt on the negative often to the exclusion of the positive work that is being done. The views and activities of extremists and marginal groups must be reported but there must be a balanced and fair approach. Is it right or just to ignore and minimise the many positive initiatives which take so much hard work and real daily courage and which can only encourage and give hope to others?

Responding to the current violence and crisis in the peace process: some suggestions for individuals, schools, workplaces etc.

1. Organise books of condolences in your school or workplace etc.

These can be sent to the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Alban Maginness, City Hall, Belfast.

2. Send messages of sympathy to the families of the recent victims - if addresses are unavailable, these can also be sent c/o the Lord Mayor, or contact members of the Meath Peace Group (below).

3. Organise or attend peace vigils/prayer services in your locality, school etc..

4. Wear a white ribbon for a day, or all next week to show your commitment to peace.

5. Hold a minute’s silence in memory of all those killed in the Troubles.

6. Write letters or telephone - politicians (North and South), radio stations, newspapers, peace groups etc. Call on politicians to renew efforts for peace and stress your own desire for meaningful dialogue and progress in the talks. Support and encourage those politicians who are working for peace.

7. Find ways of working for peace - short-term and long-term. We all can play a part. Support others working for peace and reconciliation. Find out what you can do. Learn more about the situation and be informed. Open your hearts and minds. Listen to the deeply-held views and aspirations of others. Listen to the victims of violence. Examine your own feelings and reactions. Join in discussion groups. Challenge those with closed minds who seek to destroy the efforts for peace and understanding. Find ways of building long-term relationships of friendship and trust North and South. Promote programmes in schools aimed at improving understanding and empowerment. Exercise true patriotism.

Letter To "Today With Pk" Programme RTE 1

4 March 1998

Mr. Pat Kenny

"Today with PK", RTE Radio One

Donnybrook, Dublin 4

Dear Pat,

At the close of today’s programme you mentioned that people in the South don’t care about the North (or words to that effect). Could I make a few points?

1. Yes, there are many people who don’t care - but then there are many people who don’t care about a lot of things anyway.

2. There are plenty of people who do care in the South - the trouble is that this concern and care is not always put into action. Often this inaction is due to feelings of hopelessness about the situation, but I believe that much of it derives from people simply not knowing what can be done - the whole thing seems so complex and fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings, and it is not always obvious how people in the South can play a meaningful role. Apart from the historical factors, the lack of contact between ordinary people North and South, particularly over the last 30 years (mainly because of the appalling violence), has made it even more difficult. Sadly, extreme minorities, driven by ugly and selfish motives, have not been inactive (as we saw in the bombings of Portadown and Moira and the double killing in Armagh yesterday).

3. Could you at some time look at the question - "what can people in the South do?" This is something which definitely needs to be addressed. The involvement of ordinary people, throughout the whole island, and over many years, is crucial to any hopes of lasting peace and stability, and never was there a time more opportune for this involvement. Sadly however, while there are a number of Southern-based groups of varying sizes working for peace and reconciliation, there is not enough being done at a practical level (in communities, schools etc.) to promote understanding and dialogue. If your programme were to take a good hard look at the question, it might jog others into doing something. It would also greatly help to have more positive stories from the North on our media, looking at the difficult and courageous work being done to improve understanding and foster better relationships between people in different communities in N. Ireland, and also giving us more in-depth understanding of the various views, aspirations and fears. The destructive forces get so much more air time!

4. As to things we can do, I enclose some (summary) information about what one (totally voluntary) group in Meath has been getting up to since we came together nearly five years ago. We have always received great support locally, and our public talks and events have been particularly well-attended (over 100 at each of our last two talks), demonstrating the care and concern that is out there but not always seen in the media.

Yours sincerely

Julitta Clancy 

Letters To The Editor, Meath Chronicle, Navan

26 March 1998

Letters to the Editor

Meath Chronicle

Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland

Dear Sir,

The inter-party talks are now entering the crucial final stage and a deadline for the mechanics of a political settlement has been set for the 9th April. The politicians have talked, but not the people. This peace process is about people - about the peoples of this island starting the long process of finding an accommodation - a way of living together in peace, justice and mutual respect, overcoming the bitter legacies of history.

Very little detail has emerged as yet as to the settlement which it is hoped will be offered to the people in referenda both North and South at the end of May. Full and informed public debate is essential throughout the island, particularly in the light of proposed amendments to the Irish Constitution, but very little can be done until specific proposals are outlined. Will there be enough time for this debate? Has there been enough preparation on the ground?

One area which would seem to have virtually all-party backing is the proposal for a Bill of Rights which would recognise and protect the fundamental human rights and civil liberties of all, and which be necessary to underpin any future political settlement. However, while various human rights bodies have published proposals for such a Bill, so far very little detail has emerged as to what the political parties are proposing. As a contribution to the debate, the Meath Peace Group will hold a public talk on Monday 6th April at 8pm, in St. Columban’s College, Dalgan Park, Navan. Speakers so far confirmed are: Cllr. Sean Farren, one of the SDLP’s negotiating team at the talks, John Lowry of the Workers’ Party (Belfast) and Paul Mageean, Legal Officer with the human rights body - the Committee on the Administration of Justice. Speakers from other parties are also expected, but names have not yet been confirmed. The talk will be chaired by John Rogers, S.C.

The Meath Peace Group held a public talk on Articles 2 and 3 nearly four years ago - in September 1994. The talk was addressed by John Bruton, TD, Ken Maginnis, MP, Dermot Ahern, TD, Brid Rodgers and constitutional lawyer Gerard Hogan. Regrettably there hasn’t been much debate since then. A brief report on the talk is available, giving the main points of each speaker. If any of your readers are interested they can contact the undersigned, or obtain a copy on the night of the 6th.

Yours sincerely

Julitta Clancy and Pauline Ryan on behalf of the Meath Peace Group