'A beautiful but divided town'

Born in Lurgan and returning regularly to visit family, it struck me lately how beautiful the town is, with its wide main street, flowers, the fabulous park and castle and the close anemities of Oxford Island at Lough Neagh. It really is a lovely town.

So, it was with deep dismay I heard the news of the bin bomb in Kilmaine Street. Everyone knows that the people who would do such a thing are depraved. It has nothing to do with nationalism or Republicanism. It is downright criminal activity carried out by people who have no love for their town, this country, God or man.

If these so called men are any men at all, let them come forward, stand up and own up. When a man has to sneak a bomb into a bin and injure children, he will not win support for any great cause. It should be brought to light. If the community knows who the culprits are, they should be exposed for what they are. We don’t need madmen running around causing havoc and looking for attention. We need men and women of courage who appreciate the authorities and what they have achieved in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. We need people who love their town, their country and their neighbours.

Although Lurgan is a beautiful town, it is still a divided town. Jesus himself said we hold fast to our traditions and even nullify the word of God (Matthew 15:6). So whatever side of the divide we belong to, we must examine our hearts and be prepared to go that extra mile for the sake of peace, for God’s sake and our neighbours’ sake.

Both sides of the divide have the word of God (the Bible). We must heed it and obey it. As it says in Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with all men.”