Don’t forget all the brutal murders committed by the Unionist paramilitary forces on Catholics. Both sides have ghosts. Only one was fighting for their freedom under occupation from a colonial government.
Grace, I wonder would you be so understanding if a member of your family was brutally murdered 'for a cause'. Awful murders were committed in the name of freedom, both North and South. So what price freedom? Are you willing to sacrifice one of your children, a parent, grandparent, yourself even, for the cause? I doubt it. It's great being a republican hero from the safety of a democratic country, as long as you never have to handle or deal with the shocking results of countless massacres, all in the name of freedom. Try reading Autumn Journal by Louis MacNeice, Canto XVI. It probably won't change one thing for you, but it's worth a try, even though my brain tells me that you are beyond seeing anything other than hatred. In this respect you are exactly the same as the people sent out killing in the name of...whatever cause.
Thank you for the comment David. It is hard to imagine but when you grow up being told over and over who the enemy is, it can be difficult for me to see another side. I appreciate your candor and perspective. Someday I would love to see more of Ireland than just what causes pain for many of my relatives.
Hi Grace, your very civil reply is much appreciated. I know it's easy to become emotive on subjects close to our hearts, and I hope I can understand how your family must feel about their home country. I should say I'm from a Republican background too.
I do hope you get to Ireland, North & South, some day. If you think I might be able to help in any way, please let me know.
The man murderered was another Irish man in front of his 3 year old child. They kicked them in the head after they shot him. They weren't fighting colonial forces.
Thank you for writing this article it needs to be told there are so many stories like this across the country that are pigeonholed into a convenient place for the dream of peace. The gun men and bombers can try and play normal but they’re not. The truth shall out.
As an Irishman myself, it's something I've written extensively about in the past. This is the very worst form of “whataboutism”. I’m embarrassed for you coming out with a comment like that.
Audrey Magee includes this atrocity in her wonderful novel The Colony. It’s good that you have called this out now - the getaway driver was an SF candidate later in local elections in Waterford. No shame.
Thank you for ensuring Eamon Ryan’s murder is not forgotten.
A very emotive piece - especially that bit about how he kicked the dying man, and the fact that his 3 year old son witnessed this barbaric and unnecessary act.
Sinn Fein keep on elevating their past terrorist and murderers to positions of party influence.
They are not the political-only party they pretend to be.
Christ this hurts.
What a shame to read this story. Thank you for sharing it as hard as it is to read.
Don’t forget all the brutal murders committed by the Unionist paramilitary forces on Catholics. Both sides have ghosts. Only one was fighting for their freedom under occupation from a colonial government.
You are very kind thank you 🙏
Grace, I wonder would you be so understanding if a member of your family was brutally murdered 'for a cause'. Awful murders were committed in the name of freedom, both North and South. So what price freedom? Are you willing to sacrifice one of your children, a parent, grandparent, yourself even, for the cause? I doubt it. It's great being a republican hero from the safety of a democratic country, as long as you never have to handle or deal with the shocking results of countless massacres, all in the name of freedom. Try reading Autumn Journal by Louis MacNeice, Canto XVI. It probably won't change one thing for you, but it's worth a try, even though my brain tells me that you are beyond seeing anything other than hatred. In this respect you are exactly the same as the people sent out killing in the name of...whatever cause.
Thank you for the comment David. It is hard to imagine but when you grow up being told over and over who the enemy is, it can be difficult for me to see another side. I appreciate your candor and perspective. Someday I would love to see more of Ireland than just what causes pain for many of my relatives.
Hi Grace, your very civil reply is much appreciated. I know it's easy to become emotive on subjects close to our hearts, and I hope I can understand how your family must feel about their home country. I should say I'm from a Republican background too.
I do hope you get to Ireland, North & South, some day. If you think I might be able to help in any way, please let me know.
The man murderered was another Irish man in front of his 3 year old child. They kicked them in the head after they shot him. They weren't fighting colonial forces.
Thank you for writing this article it needs to be told there are so many stories like this across the country that are pigeonholed into a convenient place for the dream of peace. The gun men and bombers can try and play normal but they’re not. The truth shall out.
Now write a piece about the murders and brutality visited on the Irish by British soldiers
Thank you Ellen! That was my pitch. 🇮🇪
How professional! How absolutely mature! You doubled down on insults because your ego was challenged. Sigh. How predictable.
Write away Ellen. We're waiting.
No you’re not. You’re embarrassing in your tiny fit of spite when you’re challenged.
An idiot of such preponderance i’m surprised you’re literate.
As an Irishman myself, it's something I've written extensively about in the past. This is the very worst form of “whataboutism”. I’m embarrassed for you coming out with a comment like that.
Audrey Magee includes this atrocity in her wonderful novel The Colony. It’s good that you have called this out now - the getaway driver was an SF candidate later in local elections in Waterford. No shame.
Well, at least he wasn’t elected.
Yes, at least that - small mercies
Thank you for ensuring Eamon Ryan’s murder is not forgotten.
A very emotive piece - especially that bit about how he kicked the dying man, and the fact that his 3 year old son witnessed this barbaric and unnecessary act.
Sinn Fein keep on elevating their past terrorist and murderers to positions of party influence.
They are not the political-only party they pretend to be.
Thank you Deirdre.
Beautifully written.
The refusal to let euphemism obscure physical human reality made this genuinely haunting to read.