The Other View

Events and Comments

Many of those who attended the recent International Peace Conference in Rosnowlagh, County Donegal were presented with copies of The Other View. They weren’t aware of its existence and were pleasantly surprised that such a publication existed at all. Those who attended the conference as part of a visiting delegation from the USA and who spent the weekend in the company of people who were genuinely interested in promoting peace and reconciliation were very impressed by the magazine.Among those attending were several loyalist ex-prisoners including Martin Snodden and Eddie Kinner both of whom served life sentences. 

The conference was also attended by republican ex-prisoners including Patrick Magee who served a long period in English gaols and The Other View regular contributor John Nixon. Sharing the same platform was Joanne Tuffnell whose father was killed in the Brighton bomb. Also present at the conference was Mrs Rita Restorick whose soldier son was killed by an IRA sniper in South Armagh. It proved to be an interesting weekend which brought together so many people from diverse political, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Including Denis and Rene Greig from the Shankill Theatre Company and others from West Belfast and throughout Ireland. Among the main speakers was Mark Umbright from Madison University who spoke on at length on Restorative Justice processes and principles which is being adopted throughout Ireland.

A special ceremony was held on the Sunday where rose plants were planted by those who had suffered directly or had lost loved ones as a result of the troubles.

The Other View magazine was widely distributed and received favourable comment from everyone especially given the fact that it is produced by people who suffered personally as a result of the conflict and who at one time or another faced each other as enemies.

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