Families hurt by insensitive journalism
By Laura Friel
A spurious article in the Irish News which implied division in a
County Tyrone village has distressed relatives of an Omagh bomb
victim and the families of three IRA Volunteers killed by the
British SAS.
The article, written by Nevin Farrell, appeared last Friday and
suggested plans to name a housing development in Loughmacrory
after the Harte brothers, Martin and Gerard, who were shot dead
along with Brian Mullin by the SAS in 1988 had been abandoned
because Brenda Logue, who died in the Omagh bombing, lived in the
estate. An Phoblacht was contacted by a close friend of both the
Harte and Logue families who wished to put the record straight.
``I spoke directly to both the Harte and Logue families as soon as
I had read the article,'' Barney McAleer wrote. ``Both families
were extremely annoyed at this cheap form of journalism which one
would more readily expect from English tabloids. The story in
itself was insubstantial at best and devious at worst. Whatever
the motivation it has served only to compound the grief of two
bereaved families who are excellent neighbours.''
Barney pointed out that the naming of the estate in Loughmacrory
was never a contentious issue. ``Any attempt to cause division
around this does not even register with local people who
unanimously approved naming the estate `Harte Park,'' said Barney.
The programme of commemorative events to honour Volunteers Gerard
Harte, Martin Harte and Brian Mullin on their tenth anniversary
has been modified and rescheduled as a mark of respect for Brenda
and all the others who died in Omagh. ``The estate-naming ceremony
was specifically postponed,`` said Barney, ``at the request of the
Harte family who know all too well the pain being suffered by the
Logue family, their good friends and neighbours.'' The media is
requested ``to tread gently in relation to the tragic events of
Omagh.'' Everyone, commented Barney, needs time and space to try
and come to terms with all our losses and our emotions.''
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