Gareth Pierce:
Once a community has been made suspect en masse every organ of the state will feel entitled, in fact obliged, to discover proof of their suspicions. The example of what happened to Gerry and his entire family should haunt us forever. Sadly these lessons are jettisoned when the next suspect community is constructed.
Lessons should have been learned. One of the campaigns that Gerry was most strongly articulating at the time of his death was pointing out what is being done to the Muslim community today. He was the bravest of fighters, not just for himself and his family but, by virtue of his victory, he took on the fight for others.
Justice for the Craigavon Two:
Justice for the Craigavon Two are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our Chairperson Gerry Conlon. Gerry suffered a terrible miscarriage at the hands of the UK justice system.
Gerry was a tireless campaigner against injustice wherever he found it campaigning and speaking out against human rights abuses and miscarriages of justice.
He was one of the first public figures to look at the facts of the case of Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton and fearlessly stood up and publicly called it a miscarriage of justice. When the Justice for the Craigavon Two group was formed Gerry became the Chairperson and campaigned tirelessly for Brendan and John Paul.
His loss will leave a massive gap in the lives of all fortunate enough to have been blessed with his friendship.
Justice for the Craigavon Two extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.
Rest in Peace Gerry.
Henry McDonald:
Terrible to hear about Gerry Conlon's death. Last time I had a beer with him we were at the after party of a Stiff Little Fingers concert at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. Last time I heard about him was just after Easter this year when he sat beside my daughter Ellen and sister Cathy on a 6 hour flight to New York. Ellen said he was charming, funny company who made the transatlantic journey pass by quickly as she couldn't stop laughing at his jokes and sense of humour as well as his kindness towards her..
RIP Gerry
Rest in peace
ReplyDeleteHe had his heart in the right place and it is sad that he died so young.
ReplyDeleteHe cut through the crap that others appear fixated with.
ReplyDeleteA genuine person with a genuine interest in helping those he could.
great bloke R.i.p defended him many a time by provo backrippers great to see so many good men at his wake tonight..
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