A chara, - There is serious misconception on the part of many, including Archbishop Clifford, that harassment by the security forces in the north is a thing of the past. The truth of the matter is that RUC and British army patrols continue to intimidate and harass nationalists in general and members of the GAA in particular. There are good historic reasons why Rule 21 was introduced and those reasons still exist.
If the GAA is more than a sporting organisation, if it is indeed, a national cultural organisation, it clearly has to take a public position about those elements in our society who would deny that cultural and national identity through intimidation, harassment confiscation of property and even murder.
It is clear from the fact that the northern counties of Ulster all opposed the change that members of the GAA throughout the six counties are incensed about the actions of the RUC on Garvaghy Road and elsewhere. When there is an impartial and acceptable policing service and when the British army have been withdrawn then this ban on the security forces will not be needed.
Archbishop Clifford is misinformed when he suggests that the vote to maintain Rule 21 was the result of intimidation. There was no intimidation from outside the GAA. If anything the intimidation came from within the GAA, when certain elements attempted to stifle debate on the issue of the deletion of Rule 21 and tried to railroad its deletion through on the back of the Stormont Agreement.
Perhaps Archbishop Clifford should purchase a copy of The Committee which outlines in graphic detail the nature and extent of collusion between the Crown forces and the loyalist assassins in a campaign of deliberate sectarian assassination, directed in many instances against the players and officials of Cumann Luthchleas Gael. Archbishop Clifford's remarks are at the very least insensitive and will be seen by many as arrogant and insulting. If he is really concerned to improve the image of the GAA and make it more broadly acceptable he should resign as patron. - Is mise, Fr Joe McVeigh,
Co Fermanagh.
Co Fermanagh.