Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat Mc Larnon I know that there is a point in there somewhere but still can't factor it into Michael Stone being as much a victim as the people he killed. |
The point is that if we believe partition was and is the cause of the 'troubles' then both loyalist and republican can be viewed as 'victims' even when they were participants. Sinn Fein believes that ira volunteers were victims of the troubles so Stone can't be ruled out either if you support s.f's analysis. Personally I have trouble with the 'no hierarchy of victims' thing. I see a volunteer on active service as different from a person going about their business. I see a volunteer on active service as different to a British soldier. I believe there are different categories of victims and that it is ridiculous to say that the death of a child in it's bed from an ruc bullet is just the same as the death of a british soldier from an ira bullet or vice versa.
Re Stone, I was in Milltown that day and it is one of those days that will remain in the memory.
I remember hearing the first grenade going off, looking around, being unable to see what was happening, more thuds, Adams roaring 'get down, get down.' people throwing themselves to the ground and others surging towards what we later knew was Stone, seeing Stone then running casually, turning to fire, running again and unselfishly, heroic men chasing him. A terrible day, not one I'd want to see again.