Irish leaders

condemn IRA assassination of Unionist MP
by Christopher Rails
CATHOLIC church leaders and politicians in Ireland this week added their voices to the general feelings of revulsion at the killing of the Official Unionist MP, the Rev Robert Bradford, and roundly condemned the latest activities of the IRA.
Bishop Philbin of Down and Connor described Mr Bradford's murder as "akin to the Nazi suppression of democracy by bullets and bombs".
Bishop Edward Daly of Londonderry said the murder had added "a new dimension of horror" to a week of "dreadful murder and carnage" in many parts of the North.
"As a Catholic bishop I reiterate once again the evil and sinfulness of all these terrible deeds. They have caused intense suffering and further raised community tension" said Bishop Daly.
"The Provisional IRA or any other paramilitary group sins against God and man in the deaths they perpetrate. With all right-thinking members of the Catholic community I utterly reject and rebel against the perpetration of these foul, cruel and inhuman acts."
The executive committee of the Irish section of Pax Christi described the killing as "barbarous" and condemned the constant, senseless taking of life and ' the maiming of human beings in Northern Ireland.
The Irish Prime Minister, Dr Garret FitzGerald. spoke of "horror and revulsion" at the murder, and Mr Charles Haughey, leader of the opposition Fianna Fail party said he was appalled at "this senseless evil act".
Bishop Joseph Duffy of Clogher joined the Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, Dr Gordon McMullen in condemning the latest IRA killings, and Mr Gerry Fitt, Independent MP for West Belfast, and a Catholic, said the IRA were trying to drive the Northern Ireland community ,into civil war.
Regarding Mr Bradford's murder, Mr Fitt said: "On behalf of Catholicism in Ireland, all can say as an opponent of unionism is to express my abhorrence at this dreadful deed".
In an apparently retaliatory gun attack last Sunday, an 18
year-old Belfast Catholic, Mr Thomas McNulty, was shot dead while walking home after drinking with friends.
Fr Denis Faul, the priest whose efforts were perhaps responsible for bringing about the end of The Provisional IRA's hunger strike, told the IRA on Sunday that they had no mandate from the Catholic community to carry on their campaign of violence and terror.
"It must be made clear to those who do these things that they cannot have, and never will have, a right or mandate to negotiate any settlement, social or political, on behalf' of the Irish people. north or south." said Fr Faul.
In another sectarian killing on Monday night Peadar Fegan, a 20-year-old employee of the Northern Ireland housing executive was shot dead in Lurgan.
Bishop Gerard Brooks of Dromore condemned the murder.