LETTER: No peace yet in Northern Ireland
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Gary Kent
Sir: Jack O'Sullivan's useful article ("Will they ever get round that table?" 17 November) unfortunately omits a central issue that corrodes community confidence in the bona fides of the paramilitary organisations and their political wings: continuing violence in the province.
Since the ceasefire, there have been four terrorist murders and nearly 240 beatings. This represents a considerable increase on pre-ceasefire times and is a potential bridge between the full-scale killing of the past and a possible reversion in the future. The debate on the longer- term disposal of illegal weapons has obscured this present reality.
Groups such as Families Against Intimidation and Terror deserve a wider hearing for their proposals to force loyalist and republican groups to respect human rights and to allow the victims of widespread intimidation a voice in the peace process.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Kent
London, SE17
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments