3 September 1998 Edition
Families hurt by insensitive journalism
By Laura Friel
A spurious article in the Irish News which implied division in a County Tyrone village has distressed relatives of an Omagh bomb victim and the families of three IRA Volunteers killed by the British SAS.
The article, written by Nevin Farrell, appeared last Friday and suggested plans to name a housing development in Loughmacrory after the Harte brothers, Martin and Gerard, who were shot dead along with Brian Mullin by the SAS in 1988 had been abandoned because Brenda Logue, who died in the Omagh bombing, lived in the estate. An Phoblacht was contacted by a close friend of both the Harte and Logue families who wished to put the record straight. ``I spoke directly to both the Harte and Logue families as soon as I had read the article,'' Barney McAleer wrote. ``Both families were extremely annoyed at this cheap form of journalism which one would more readily expect from English tabloids. The story in itself was insubstantial at best and devious at worst. Whatever the motivation it has served only to compound the grief of two bereaved families who are excellent neighbours.''
Barney pointed out that the naming of the estate in Loughmacrory was never a contentious issue. ``Any attempt to cause division around this does not even register with local people who unanimously approved naming the estate `Harte Park,'' said Barney.
The programme of commemorative events to honour Volunteers Gerard Harte, Martin Harte and Brian Mullin on their tenth anniversary has been modified and rescheduled as a mark of respect for Brenda and all the others who died in Omagh. ``The estate-naming ceremony was specifically postponed,`` said Barney, ``at the request of the Harte family who know all too well the pain being suffered by the Logue family, their good friends and neighbours.'' The media is requested ``to tread gently in relation to the tragic events of Omagh.'' Everyone, commented Barney, needs time and space to try and come to terms with all our losses and our emotions.''
A spurious article in the Irish News which implied division in a County Tyrone village has distressed relatives of an Omagh bomb victim and the families of three IRA Volunteers killed by the British SAS.
The article, written by Nevin Farrell, appeared last Friday and suggested plans to name a housing development in Loughmacrory after the Harte brothers, Martin and Gerard, who were shot dead along with Brian Mullin by the SAS in 1988 had been abandoned because Brenda Logue, who died in the Omagh bombing, lived in the estate. An Phoblacht was contacted by a close friend of both the Harte and Logue families who wished to put the record straight. ``I spoke directly to both the Harte and Logue families as soon as I had read the article,'' Barney McAleer wrote. ``Both families were extremely annoyed at this cheap form of journalism which one would more readily expect from English tabloids. The story in itself was insubstantial at best and devious at worst. Whatever the motivation it has served only to compound the grief of two bereaved families who are excellent neighbours.''
Barney pointed out that the naming of the estate in Loughmacrory was never a contentious issue. ``Any attempt to cause division around this does not even register with local people who unanimously approved naming the estate `Harte Park,'' said Barney.
The programme of commemorative events to honour Volunteers Gerard Harte, Martin Harte and Brian Mullin on their tenth anniversary has been modified and rescheduled as a mark of respect for Brenda and all the others who died in Omagh. ``The estate-naming ceremony was specifically postponed,`` said Barney, ``at the request of the Harte family who know all too well the pain being suffered by the Logue family, their good friends and neighbours.'' The media is requested ``to tread gently in relation to the tragic events of Omagh.'' Everyone, commented Barney, needs time and space to try and come to terms with all our losses and our emotions.''