Dessie O'Hare Speaks

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday December 17, 2002 12:43 by Dessie O'Hare P.O.W. Castlerea Prison

I welcome the steps taken by the Irish Government to bring closure on past conflict. My transfer and those of my comrades to Castlerea is an act of good faith by the authorities. I welcome it as a sign of acceptance by those authorities not only of the integrity of the INLA cease-fire but of the determination of republican socialist-prisoners and ex-prisoners to make a positive and progressive contribution to Irish Society

I welcome the steps taken by the Irish Government to bring closure on past
conflict. My transfer and those of my comrades to Castlerea is an act of
good
faith by the authorities. I welcome it as a sign of acceptance by those
authorities not only of the integrity of the INLA cease-fire but of the
determination of republican socialist-prisoners and ex-prisoners to make a
positive and progressive contribution to Irish Society. I would call on the
Government to urgently address their lack of funding to groups such as Teach
na Failte who are the safety net for former prisoners and their families.

Let me state clearly, firmly and unequivocally my views on the political
situation and my part in past conflict.

While my war is over my struggle for the rights of all shades of the working
class continues. I believe that the conditions for armed struggle against
British Imperialism no longer exist. I unequivocally accept the INLA
cease-fire statement of August 22nd 1998 and fully associate myself with the
apology contained therein. Much pain has been endured in the past and as a
soldier I played a part in both inflicting and enduring pain.

However it is time for all of us to move away from demonising either
individuals or groups in society. The vilification of myself by sections of
the media and by others who should know better, may make headlines but
contribute nothing to the sum total of human happiness.

I owe a great debt of gratitude to my wife and children; they have suffered
far more than I because of my imprisonment. As an individual I hope to have
the opportunity for the first time since I left school to lead a normal life
some time in the near future. I hope to have the opportunity not to curse
the
darkness but to light candles of human hope. I am firmly resolute in my
belief in the politics of Republican Socialism. Therefore I believe it is
time for the politics of the people to take precedence over the politics of
the elite.

We are now in a time of understanding, of respect of tolerance and of
healing. This is the moment for all Republicans to move away from the road
of
conflict making and onto the road of conflict resolution.

Dessie O'Hare
13-12-02