Massacre In Omagh

Sir, - There has been a lot of talk about rights.

Some assert their right to national self-determination, some their right to march the Queen's highway, some their right to silence in court. Some proclaim their right to fly flags wherever they want, some demand their right to blatter big drums and others the right not to hear them.

It is easy to forget the one sacred and inalienable right of every human being in a civilised society: the right to life.

Where two legitimate social or political rights conflict, the right to life must transcend them at all times.

Does this need to be ever proven again on this island after the unbearable grief and pain inflicted on the innocent of Omagh? - Yours, etc.,

Ian Kirksmith,

Legacurry,

Lisburn,

Co Antrim.