Irish hierarchy face trial of strength over sanctuary

by Paul Goodman AS tensions in Northern Ireland rose this week following the recent wave of killings, the provision of sanctuary by the church to two young men threatened by the IRA showed signs of developing into a trial of strength between the terrorist organisation and the Catholic hierarchy.
Liam Kearns, 23, and David Madigan, 19, took refuge in Newry's Catholic cathedral after being warned by the IRA to leave the country or face
"military action". They were accused of involvement with four other men — who have since fled the province — in an attack on a Sinn Fein member.
Cardinal Cahal Daly of Armagh, who was asked by the two men's families to intervene, spoke out against the "gun law" by which the IRA are able to hold sway over large sections of the Catholic community.
"I would wish somehow by my presence to signify my utter dismay that this type of gun law, gangland, is imposed, inflicted upon the community," he said.
"It is a very serious thing when a society deteriorates, or is brought to that kind of point, when people can be ordered at gunpoint out of their own town without benefit of law, court, legal defence."
Leading article, page 4 Although the cardinal said that he was unhappy at allowing the church to be used for political demonstrations, he made it clear that "when it is a question of standing for human life and the defence of human beings, that is a Christian concern."
The two men were originally given until noon last Saturday to leave Newry. Following an antiIRA demonstration in the town on that day, they entered the cathedral seeking "the ancient right of sanctuary."
Their mothers — Sheila Madigan and Betty Kearns — denied the IRA's claims, expressing anger at the sentence of "exile, mutilation and
rdeath" against their sons, and indignation that the IRA "who carry out murders and kidnappings every week should brand others as criminals or anti-social elements."
• THREE members of a Co Tyrone family this week took sanctuary in the Catholic church in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, following what they say was harassment and intimidation from the security forces.