Bomber who tried to kill Thatcher appears in Parliament
source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/13/britain.brighton.bomb.statement/index.html?iref=2...
-
-
- tcmfan08
- added this
LONDON, England (CNN) -- The man jailed for trying to kill British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in a hotel bombing in 1984 appeared in Parliament Tuesday and said he regretted his actions.
Patrick Magee, a former Irish Republican Army activist, held a public discussion with Jo Berry, whose father died in the bombing in Brighton, southern England 25 years ago Monday.
Magee told members of Parliament it is "always a challenge to share a platform with Jo. ... The challenge is, I'm sharing a platform with someone whose father I killed."
"I'm sorry that I killed Jo's father," he said, "and I wish there had been another way."
However, he portrayed himself as a victim of circumstances, saying, "If there were other options open, I would have jumped at them."
Pressed by lawmakers on whether he had repented, Magee said, "I don't understand repentance. I think it has a religious meaning. I can regret."
He added, "I did what I did in full consciousness," he said. "I did what I felt needed to be done. Why do I need to ask forgiveness for that? But I can feel regret."
...More...
Patrick Magee, a former Irish Republican Army activist, held a public discussion with Jo Berry, whose father died in the bombing in Brighton, southern England 25 years ago Monday.
Magee told members of Parliament it is "always a challenge to share a platform with Jo. ... The challenge is, I'm sharing a platform with someone whose father I killed."
"I'm sorry that I killed Jo's father," he said, "and I wish there had been another way."
However, he portrayed himself as a victim of circumstances, saying, "If there were other options open, I would have jumped at them."
Pressed by lawmakers on whether he had repented, Magee said, "I don't understand repentance. I think it has a religious meaning. I can regret."
He added, "I did what I did in full consciousness," he said. "I did what I felt needed to be done. Why do I need to ask forgiveness for that? But I can feel regret."
...More...
-
- groups:
- Community
-
- tags:
- Parliament, IRA, bomber, Margaret Thatcher, 2 more
