Madam, - We write to express concern at the news that Belfast playwright Gary Mitchell and his family have been forced out of their home through intimidation (The Irish Times, December 1st),
Mr Mitchell, his wife, his seven-year-old son and his disabled father were attacked by "rogue Loyalist paramilitaries" who appear to have taken exception to the depiction of Loyalist paramilitary culture in his artistic work.
Mr Mitchell's plight is similar to that of many people from both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland (and occasionally in the Republic) who have been driven from their homes by criminal vigilantes. Such intimidation has no place in a civilised society and its continuation is a reminder that, seven-and-a-half years after the Belfast Agreement, this island is still a long way away from civil normality. The fact that this case concerns an artist who has had the courage to engage with the dark side of his community adds to the outrage.
Any society that cannot harbour and respect a questioning artist is a diseased society. It is imperative that politicians and community leaders of all traditions in Northern Ireland - and in particular certain loyalist leaders who have indicated a desire to move from gun law to civil normality - speak out in support of Gary Mitchell.
We do not know Gary Mitchell personally, but we respect his work and his right to express his perspectives through his work without threat to him or his family. We offer him our solidarity and unreservedly condemn those who have sought to silence and terrorise him and his family. - Yours, etc,
DECLAN GORMAN, Associate Artistic Director, DECLAN MALLON, Drama Development Officer, Upstate Theatre Project, Drogheda, Co Louth.