May 24th, 1994
St. Columban’s College, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co. Meath
Speaker:
Fr. Denis Faul (St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon)
Editor’s note: Fr. Denis Faul spoke to an audience of over 100 people in Dalgan Park, Navan, on the theme “How people in the Republic can help the Peace Process.” The talk was not recorded
Fr. Faul warned people in the Republic not to be led astray by talk of peace from the Provisional IRA while their violent campaign continues. “The most essential element of any peace process is sincerity and respect for the human rights of the other party. Violence and peace are not compatible.” Fr. Faul doubted that the Provisionals would make any statement on the Downing Street Declaration because “Provo power depends on violence, not on the will of the Irish nationalist people…They use violence to dominate.” He stated that 70-80% of people in the North don’t want a united Ireland at this time. 90% of the people are moderates who want to work together and live together, to end the fear and violence. Catholics reject violence but they need security of life and home, equality and fair play in employment, respect for their religion and politics, and freedom from harassment and ill-treatment. “In the end it is the moderate Catholic and the moderate Protestant people who will make peace. They must all be active for peace to-day and every day.”
“What is needed now is to remove the fear”. We in the South can help by building relationships of trust and friendship with people from Northern Ireland. We should visit the North more and invite people down. We must show them that no one wants to coerce them.
“We can also help by putting pressure on the Provisional IRA to stop their campaign of terror. “People must speak out against violence and hatred on every possible occasion.” Equally, our government must put pressure on the British government to do its duty to defend the Catholic population. The majority of sectarian murders in the past two years have been committed by the loyalists. Fr. Faul said that “the British Government should devote the greater part of its security resources to curbing this terrible threat. Instead of spending millions of pounds and tying up personnel in Crossmaglen, the crack regiments should be placed in the loyalist areas from which the assassins come.”
Fr. Faul concluded by stating that the problems of Northern Ireland would take a long time to work out, but that it was important that we in the South contributed to the process of building trust and friendship. “The Downing St. Declaration is based on the word “trust” – it is mentioned nine times in the document.” Trust is the way forward and this can be encouraged by more cross-community and cross-Border development.”
Meath Peace Group: May 1994
Committee 1994: Anne Nolan, Gernonstown, Slane, Co. Meath; Julitta Clancy, Parsonstown, Batterstown, Co. Meath; Susan Devane, Slane; Philomena Boylan-Stewart, Longwood; Pauline Ryan, Navan; Felicity Cuthbert, Kilcloon