Ireland should face its past just as I had to

THE BBC television series Facing the Truth yet again threw into stark relief the inability of our government and media in Southern Ireland to face up to and deal with the issues and resonances of the troubles in the Republic.

As the son of a victim of the troubles (my father was Garda Richard Fallon who was murdered on duty in 1970) I was extremely moved by the sight of former enemies and killers acknowledging the pain caused to other people and, in some cases, apologising for their actions.

That the BBC should make such a programme also contrasts sharply with the continual parading of formerly jailed IRA murderers and their families on Irish television, telling us about how much they had to sacrifice in order to put the life of others to an end in the pursuit of their beliefs.