From the Irish Echo, Oct.25-31, 2000 Inquiry needed into Killing of Joseph O'Connor
Editor: We the undersigned wish to express our growing alarm
at the circumstances surrounding the recent murder of Joseph O'Connor in
Belfast. Mr. O'Connor was reportedly associated with the Real IRA and the
dissident republican organization, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Mr. O'Connor's family has held the Provisional Republican Movement responsible
for his death. If this is the case, it would mark a very dangerous turn
of events in Northern Ireland. Members of the Republican Writers Group - former IRA
prisoners who advocate a non-violent, free exchange of ideas about the
peace process - were asked to conduct a preliminary investigation into
the killing. The Writers Group issued a statement published in the Irish
News stating that its inquiries concluded that "the Provisional IRA carried
out this assassination." We are not in a position to know whether this
is the case or not. However, the fact that a prominent member of the Writers
Group, Anthony McIntyre, was subsequently threatened by senior Provisionals
does little to allay suspicions and a lot to instill fear in the nationalist
community in the North. It is one of the unfortunate residues of the republican
tradition that political disagreements are often "settled" by violence.
The free and unfettered flow of ideas is fundamental to any democratic
society and the right to dissent must be respected by all. The use of assassination
and threat to intimidate those with whom you don't agree is a censorship
that should be denounced by all democrats. Regardless of one's view of violent organizations,
the killing of Joseph O'Connor demands an independent inquiry by respected
human rights leaders. An inquiry should attempt to both clarify the circumstances
of his death and determine the organization responsible. It is in the interests
of all those who value freedom of expression that such an independent inquiry
should take place. Truth and accountability should always take precendence
over fear and paranoia. Mary Elizabeth Bartholomew, attorney; Sandy Boyer,
Irish human rights activist; Kathy Byrne, Irish human rights activist;
T.J. English, author; Patrick Farrelly, journalist; Brendan Fay, Lesbian
and Gay Rights Activist; Laura Flanders, journalist and broadcaster; Mary
Ellen Grogan, Irish human rights activist; Janet Noble, playwright; Kate
O'Callaghan, journalist; Larry Ottway, musician; James Ridgeway, journalist;
Mary Ann Wadden, independent curator.
Sympathy to the O'Connor family
Editor: To Joseph O'Connor's family I offer sincere condolence.
His assassins rendered a service to their masters in Westminster, in Stormont,
and Leinster House. They added their names to the turncoats and traitors
of the past. The best tribute we can offer Joseph now is to complete his
unfinished work, which is to drive the Brits out of Ireland. They have
been there too long already. Let the Irish people take control of their
own destiny. George Harrison Brooklyn RETURN
