On Tuesday January 30th 1996 Republican Socialist Gino Gallagher was gunned down. The bourgeois and gutter press, assisted with briefings from local elected representatives (some of whom given their stated politics should have known better), immediately blamed an internal INLA split.

At a press conference later that afternoon an IRSP Ard Comhairle member categorically refuted this accusation. Events in the hours and days since have confirmed this to be correct.

As to be expected the British tabloids had a field day of lurid speculation and character assassination. Why did a community newspaper with a history of condemning such practices then join in this carnival of reaction and sensationalism? Headlines such as "Feud fears stalk West Belfast." (A'town News 3/01/96) reek of scaremongering and in fact cause fear within the community.

The scenes of brutality as baton welding RUC thugs attacked defenceless mourners were witnessed world-wide. The stand off between the Gallagher family, a defiant community and the RUC epitomised the resistance of an unbowed people. As the Gallagher family postponed the funeral in protest, it became clear that unless the State relented then the mobilisation of people predicted for the following day would ensure the funeral cortege would reach Milltown according to the family's wishes.

Common sense prevailed and on Friday the 2nd of February amid one of the largest Republican funerals in recent times, the remains of a courageous guerrilla fighter were laid to rest with dignity. By any account the events surrounding Gino Gallagher's funeral were remarkable. What was also remarkable was the absence of any coverage in the locally based Andersonstown News (10/02/96). Or was the funeral of such a controversial Republican Socialist activist outside the acceptable politics of your newspaper?

Maybe the words of senior Andersonstown News journalist Robin Livingstone sums up your position "I don't see what all the fuss was about twelve eejits coming out with masks on", BBC Radio Talkback programme Friday February 2nd 1996.

Is Mise,