Sir, - "The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has set up a fighting fund to help defray the costs involved in campaigning for a 32-County Sovereignty. We thank all those who have contributed to date and ask you to redouble your efforts to support the fight for sovereignty."
Thus went the advertisement in Defence of the Nation, the newsletter of this committee. A Dublin bank account number was given.
Soon after, Omagh happened. The leaders of this committee, Michael McKevitt and Bernadette Sands, have gone silent, but not before attempting to distance their committee from the Omagh bomb. The "Real IRA" have since announced a ceasefire.
So, I wonder, what is going to happen to the "fighting fund". Who controls this bank account and the money in it? What is the money going to be used for? Who is now using it and for what?
I have a suggestion for Mr McKevitt and Ms Sands. Transfer it to another fund - the fund for the victims of Omagh. They will have lifetimes of "fighting" to do, such as fighting up and down the hills of Omagh on wheelchairs or fighting across the busy streets with white canes.
Go on, Sovereignty Committee! Transfer this money now - to the "real" fighting fund. - Yours, etc., Joss Fitzsimons,
Margaret Street,
George's Quay,
Cork.