Republican News · Thursday 21 February 2002

Fermanagh's untold stories

Fírinne, a Fermanagh-based group representing people who have suffered state violence, is to launch a booklet documenting the stories of ten of its members.

The launch is to happen at an open day at the Donn Carragh Hotel in Lisnaskea in the county this Saturday 23 February at 2pm.

The booklet, titled The Untold Truth, relates the stories of ten people who have been affected by state violence in the course of the last 30 years of conflict. Also on display at the launch will be the Remembering Quilt commemorating the more than 350 nationalists killed by state forces during the conflict.

The Fermanagh based group Fírinne - meaning truth - r was established in 1998 by a group of people and their families who had been affected, either directly or indirectly, by state violence. The state has been involved, either directly or by collusion, in over 20 killings in Fermanagh. The state was also responsible for the intimidation, harassment and abuse of hundreds of nationalists in the county.

One of the aims of Fírinne is to highlight and address the hierarchy of victimhood that exists in our society. In the run up to Saturday's launch the group is renewing its appeal to nationalists who have witnessed the killing of a loved one or harassment, house raids, incarceration or injuries at the hands of the state to come forward and tell their story.

"We hope that people who have a story to tell can come on Saturday and make contact with our group. We are offering support and advice to all those affected by state violence," said Loretta Lynch of Fírinne.